Explain how theoretical frameworks affect progress.

Purpose
The goal of this Assignment is to investigate how a theorist explains his or her philosophy and ideas behind a theoretical field. Nursing, like other fields of study, has a plethora of theorists and theories. These theorists have refined their paradigm over time, enriching it with research and discussions with other theorists.

Directions
You will investigate how a theorist of your choice developed his or her theory. Did it start as an acorn and grow into a massive oak over time? Did it arrive as a flash of light, as some believe the big bang did to create our universe? Was it built from a blueprint, like a spaceship, where thousands of scholars collaborated to build a rocket to the moon? In fact, how does a theory come to be? This is what we’re looking into.

You will choose a theorist who piques your interest; it does not have to be a nurse theorist. Other disciplines to consider include behavioral, leadership, business, education, and technology.

You will become the theorist by immersing yourself in writings ranging from the earliest recorded to the most recent.

As you read, consider how you (assuming the persona of the theorist) developed the theory.

Theorizing takes place in the first stage. As the theorist, you must identify the concepts of what nursing is and is not. Perhaps you began to question what concepts were guiding those in nursing practice and, as a result, began to question your own role. You began to wonder, â€Where am I in nursing, and where is the profession going? Is there some overarching concept that guides the professional in his or her practice?†This is where you realize you need a theory.

Syntax is developed in the second stage. This is the section where you will define the terms. Keep an eye out for changing definitions of terms. Consider the case of Jean Watson. She begins by defining the term “caring.” She has refined her terminology over the last ten years, changing the term caring to caritas. This demonstrates her and other scholars’ growth and maturation as a result of decades of research to produce the theory of caring.

Theory testing is the third stage. Defined as the phenomena revealed by research that lie behind the theory. Term definitions are being refined. Theorists and other researchers consider whether this theory can help answer practical questions. This is where your theory is put to use by a growing number of researchers. Graduate nursing students, for example, may request the tool you developed while testing your theory.

The final and final stage is evaluation. This is where philosophical debate takes place as the concepts are applied in the act of providing nursing care using evidence-based practice.

Assignment Specifics
You will write an article for a nursing journal explaining how you developed your theory through the four stages for this Assignment (theorizing, syntax, theory testing, and evaluation).
Your paper should be between 3 and 5 pages long, not including the title and reference pages.

Please go to the Grading Rubrics section of the Course Home to view the Grading Rubric for this Assignment.

Assignment Prerequisites
Before you submit your work, you should: