It is less complex than a grand theory in terms of concepts and propositions, but it is more aligned with nursing practice and more conducive to scientific inquiry. When developing or refining middle-range theories, conceptual models serve as a guide for the propositions and empirically testable hypotheses that are used to develop or refine them. Reviewing King’s theory of goal attainment (middle-range theory), which is derived from King’s conceptual system, one can see how the progression from conceptual model to middle-range theory can be identified (conceptual model).

Select a conceptual model and a middle-range theory to work with.

1) Describe how the concepts of the conceptual model and middle-range theory are consistent with one another and how they are linked.