Meaning of Theory from Different Theorists: A Comparison
The diversity of perspectives is always manifested through the numerous hypotheses that mature into theories. The understanding or explanation as to why an event is experienced varies from one person to another. This can be shown through the numerous correlated theories used to explain common or different situations. A theorist develops his/her argument with respect to the situation in question and establishes principles that objectify the main idea in theory. They frame their findings in a manner that it can be used to explain different phenomena in the same dome of argument. A comparative analysis of the same theory can be established if numerous perspectives are considered. Therefore, the essentials or principles of a set idea are used as the main comparative aspects to make distinctive accounts of the perspectives in question. For instance, as to be evaluated below, theories to acutely define nursing practice have been upheld. In fact, different intellectual mind have their own perspectives on the validity of any one of the definitions given. In fact, none of these definitions can be completely disregarded provided the theorists explain the building ideas that constitute the definition and principles behind the theory.
Lisa Chism’s philosophical perspective in The Essentials of the Doctor of Nursing Practice, the theorist provides a case example to display the two aspects of nursing practice; scientific and philosophical aspects. In the case example discussed to show the validity of this theory, the theorist evaluates the ideologies behind the criticism and odds for the establishment of Doctor of Nursing Practice as a degree course. Lisa bases her theory in numerous principles based on historical and scientific significance of nursing practice. In fact, the practice of nursing derived its essentials from past practices that were geared toward provision of care to injured individuals.
Lisa Chism explains theory through the different perspectives people develop between nursing practice and nursing theory. Interestingly, her account reveals the common trend that not all principles of a single theory can be fully displayed in a case example. Theory, through the demonstrations given in her account, can be described as the formulation of a concise statement that embodies all the aspects that bring about its existence. This is done through the explanations given to prove things that hinder nursing practice from completely conforming to nursing theories. However, it is hinted that a limited number of these aspects are fulfilled at one go.
Moreover, the theorist attempts to justify it by the inclusion of clinical competencies, as well as, evidence based practice. The Doctor of Nursing Practice is also modified to initiate transformations in the health care department through technological advancements. In bringing out her perspective on nursing theory, the theory-practice gap is brought into question to establish how well Doctor of Nursing Practice addresses the controversy. In explaining the nursing theory, it is hinted that the theory-practice gap is brought about by lack of knowledge, understanding, belief, and/or applicability of nursing theory as a guide for practice. Through this, the theory explains why there is low or high performance in terms of nursing practice or in other words the practice of nursing theory. This theory emphasizes on the integration of nursing science and theory.
On the other hand, Patricia Goodson in Theory as practice highlights that theory cannot be defined in one single sentence. Fundamentally, Goodson formulates the definition of theory, not in one word, buts as a compound figure that embodies numerous aspects of a research. The ideology in Goodson’s account is that providing the definition of theory in one compound sentence would leave some research compilations virtually deviating from the essentials of theory. In this perspective, a definition of theory should be able to embody an average count of the main principles that a research follows. In line with this ideology, Goodson formulates a number of base factors that should guide the description rather than the definition of theory. Different types of theories are highlighted so that each and every theory can be organized categorically into one or two of the theories.
Commonsense theory is comprised of people’s accounts of how they make meaning of certain phenomena (a sense making task). For instance, the occurrence of an abnormal activity would ignite different people to develop their own explanations from what they get out of the series of events that come before and after the phenomenon. There are sociological theories that are based on this ideology. In this context, a social phenomenon can be explained in either scientific or personal judgmental basics.
Additionally, scientific theories are based on visually elaborate characteristics and ideologies. They give clear principles on the ways and protocols followed in the development of the general idea. Goodson analyzes the different perspectives of scientific theory proposed by other theorists. For instance, it can be defined as a set of interrelated definitions, concepts, and prepositions that present a methodical view of events by specifying relations among variables, in order to explain and predict the events or situations. Fundamentally, his explanation is based on a cause and effect system. Scientific theories are examined through the functions they serve in terms of description, explanation, and prediction. Essentially, Goodson’s explanation of theory emphasizes on the importance and inclusion of the theorizing process in the definition.
Also, Rosemary Ellis’ account is based on the daily professional activities that a practitioner does in the process of provision of care. The definition of theory should be able to encompass all the aspects that a nurse gathers in the process of care provision. This is because theorizing is a process that takes a long time of gathering instincts to help in the explanation of all the aspects of the case in question. In her views, she displays her perception that theory cannot be defined but rather explained. Additionally, making a theory explicit, or varying how explicit it is going to be depends on the theorist and the subject matter being handled. Moreover, she thinks that no one is conscious enough of the extent of practical accomplishment we adapt in the execution of a theory. Therefore, her perspective of theory is largely dependent on how practical a theory can be accomplished in nursing practice.
In Jo-Ann and Lowry’s Nursing Theory and Practice, they narrate a process of formation of a theory in nursing practice. This account depicts the controversy advancement in nursing knowledge splits the inter-dependency of theorists, researchers, and practitioners. As a matter of fact, this perspective dictates that nursing practice is an essential tool for the formulation of theories. Nurses take part in the process of theorizing through the provision of physiological and scientific explanations of the cases that are experienced in their line of duty. The provision of care involves several free thought decisions that would need the practitioner to use his/her professional experience in the execution of delegated activities. In their definitions of conceptual-theoretical-empirical components, a number of practical models were highlighted to help explain the constituents of theory. According to this approach, theory is made up of numerous essential components such as philosophies, conceptual models, middle-range theories, as well as practical models. Therefore, it can be concluded that theory is composed of practical, descriptive, and analytical aspects of the subject matter.
In conclusion, all these perspectives of theory dictate common trends in the explanation of theory. One interesting fact is that each theory can be categorized in any one of these perspectives because of the multidimensional nature of theories. Goodson’s perspective is built on a universal ground. In the application of these practices to nursing practice, theory in nursing can be categorized in any one of these depending on the aspects of nursing that are put into consideration. Fundamentally, these explanations show health practitioners should understand the essentials of nursing theory and relate them with the various activities they relay in the process of care provision. Rosemary Ellis’ account can be taken as a virtual platform for the integration of theory in practice to help seal the theory-practice gap that has paralyzed the realization of objectified missions in the provision of care. Hence, theory can be defined as a multi-dimensional figure that depends on the number of aspects that shape the subject matter.
References
Chism, L. (2014). The essentials of the Doctorate of Nursing Practice: A philosophical and theoretical perspective. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Ellis, R. (2014). The practitioner as theorist. American Journal of Nursing , 1434-1438.
Goodson, P. (2014). Theory in practice: Philosophies and theories for advanced nursing practice. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Marrs, J., & Lowry, L. (2006). Nursing theory and practice: Connecting the dots. Nursing Science Quarterly, , 44-50.
