Strategies for Concept Development and Analysis

This week examines concept development and analysis, which, along with theory, is a critical aspect of nursing research.

Whether a concept (also called phenomena) is abstract or more concrete, it exists within a particular context and may be interpreted in multiple ways. Clarifying or generating a shared understanding of what a particular concept is or means is therefore vitally important. As such, you will apply this approach to a research topic relevant to your nursing practice, and evaluate the steps in this process as demonstrated in a research article.

Apply concept analysis to a practice problem

Analyze the steps in concept development and analysis as demonstrated in a research article

Learning Resources

Required Readings

McEwin, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing. (5th ed.) Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health.

Chapter 3, “Concept Development: Clarifying Meaning of Terms”

Chapter 3 explains the process of concept development and discusses its application to theory development and research.

Gray, J.R., Grove, S.K., & Sutherland, S. (2017). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

Chapter 8, “Frameworks”

Chapter 8 examines concepts and relational statements, how theories relate to concepts, and how to use conceptual maps to visually illustrate the interrelationships between concepts and statements.

Cronin, P., Ryan, F., & Coughlan, M. (2010). Concept analysis in healthcare research. International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation, 17(2), 62-68.

The theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of concept analysis are described in this article. In addition, methods used for concept analysis are discussed.

Ekeland, E., Heian, F., Hagen, K., Abbott, H., & Nordheim, L. (2008). Exercise to improve self-esteem in children and young people. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (1).

This systematic review examines the influence of exercise on the self-esteem of children and young adults.

Parse, R. R. (2006). Concept inventing: Continuing clarification. Nursing Science Quarterly, 19(4), 289.

This article provides an overview of concept inventing and describes the process as a nonlinear multidimensional approach that requires simultaneous analysis and synthesis.

Penrod, J. (2007). Living with uncertainty: concept advancement. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 57(6), 658-667.

This article provides an analysis of a phenomenological study on the concept of uncertainty among family caregivers.

Optional Resources

Brown, C., Wickline, M., Ecoff, L., & Glaser, D. (2009). Nursing practice, knowledge, attitudes and perceived barriers to evidence-based practice at an academic medical center. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(2), 371–3 81.

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Risjord, M. (2009). Rethinking concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(3), 684–691.

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Discussion: Strategies for Concept Development and Analysis

Post your responses to the Discussion based on the course requirements.

Your Discussion postings should be written in standard edited English and follow APA guidelines as closely as possible given the constraints of the online platform. Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and additional scholarly sources as appropriate. Initial postings must be 250–350 words (not including references).