Zohrah Perveen

Theory Analysis and Evaluation
Presented To : Mr. Muhammad Hussain

Presented By : Zohrah Perveen
MSN year 1, Semester 1
Lahore School Of Nursing
The University Of Lahore
Objectives
At the end of this session, learners will be able to:
• Define the key terms theory, analysis and evaluation.
• Describe Purpose of theory evaluation.
• Differentiate phases of theory evaluation.
• Discuss Historical overview Of theory evaluation by
different authors.
• Describe Synthesized Method of Theory Evaluation.
• Discuss summary of the topic.
• Elaborate references.
Theory
Theory has been described as a systematic
explanation of an event in which constructs
and concepts are identified and relationships
are proposed and predictions made.
(Streubert & Carpenter2011)
Analysis
It refers to a systematic process of objectively
examining the content, structure, and function of a
concept (Fawcett & DeSanto-Madeya, 2013; Walker &
Avant, 2011).
Evaluation
Evaluation follows analysis and assesses the theory’s
potential contribution to the discipline’s knowledge
base (Fawcett & DeSanto-Madeya, 2013; Walker &
Avant, 2011).
Purpose of Theory Evaluation
 Theory evaluation identifies a theory’s degree of
usefulness to guide practice, research, education, and
administration.
 Such evaluation gives insight into relationships
among concepts and their linkages to each other and
allows the reviewer to determine the strengths and
weaknesses of a theory.
 The ultimate goal of theory evaluation is to determine
the potential contribution of the theory to scientific
knowledge.
Phases of Theory Evaluation
 Single Phase Process- Theory Analysis .
 Two Phase process- Theory Analysis

Theory Evaluation
 Three Phase Process-

Theory Description
Theory Analysis
Theory Evaluation
Theory Description
 Theory description is the initial step in the evaluation
process.
 The structural components include assumptions,
concepts, and propositions.
 The functional components consist of the concepts of
the theory and how they are used to describe, explain,
predict, or control (Meleis, 2012; Moody, 1990).
Theory analysis
It refers to a systematic process of objectively
examining the content, structure, and function of a
theory.
The main aim of theory analysis is:
 Nonjudgmental.
 Detailed examination.
 Understanding.
Theory Evaluation
Theory evaluation provides a systematic, objective way
of examining a theory that may lead to new insights
and new formulations that will add to the body of
knowledge and thereby affects practice or research .
(Walker & Avant, 2011)
The ultimate goal of theory evaluation is to determine
the potential contribution of the theory to scientific
knowledge.
Conti…..
In theory evaluation, critical reflection involves
ascertaining how well a theory serves its purpose, with
the process of evaluation resulting in a decision or
action about use of the theory.
(Chinn & Kramer, 2015)
• Direct nursing practice .
• Interventions.
• Whether or not contributes to favorable outcomes.
Historical Overview
Since the late 1960s, a number of nursing scholars have
published systems or methods for theory analysis
evaluation.
Rosemary Ellis(1968)- The Significant characteristics
of theories she specified were:
• Scope
• Complexity
• Testability
• Usefulness
• Implicit Values Of The Theorist
• Information Generation
Margaret Hardy-1974
Theory Evaluation
 Meaning and logical adequacy
 Operational and empirical adequacy
 Testability
 Generality
 Contribution to understanding
 Predictability
 Pragmatic adequacy
Conti….
In later work, Hardy (1978) discussed :
Diagramming-develop relationship and linkages through

different theoretical terms:
 Concepts
 Constructs
 Operational definitions
 Referents
Mary Duffey and Ann Muhlenkamp
IN 1974,a two phase approach to critically examining nursing
theory.
 Thoery analysis.
1. What is the origin of the problem(s) with which the theory

is concerned?
2. What methods were used in theory development
(induction, deduction, synthesis)?
3. What is the character of the subject matter dealt with by
the theory?
4. What kind of outcomes of testing propositions is
generated by the theory?
Conti….
 Theory Evaluation
1. Does the theory generate testable hypotheses?
2. Does the theory guide practice or can it be used as a

body of knowledge?
3. Is the theory complete in terms of subject matter and
perspective?
4. Are the biases or values underlying the theory made
explicit?
5. Are the relationships among the propositions made
explicit?
6. Is the theory parsimonious.
Barbara Barnum
 1979,1984,1990,1994,and 1998
 Internal Criticism-
How the components of the theory fit with each other;

• Clarity
• Consistency
• Adequacy
• Logical development
• Level of theory development
Conti….
 Theory Evaluation
1. Does the theory generate testable hypotheses?
2. Does the theory guide practice or can it be used as a
body of knowledge?
3. Is the theory complete in terms of subject matter and
perspective?
4. Are the biases or values underlying the theory made
explicit?
5. Are the relationships among the propositions made
explicit?
6. Is the theory parsimonious.
Lorraine Walker and Kay Avant
 1983,1988,1995,2005,2011
Determine the origins of the theory.
• Identify the basis of the original development of the
theory.
• Why was it developed?
• Was the process of development inductive or
deductive?
• Is there evidence to support or refute the theory?
Conti…
2. Examine the meaning of the theory.
Identify concepts.
Examine definitions and their use
(theoretical and operational definitions).
Identify statements.
Examine relationships.
Conti…
3.Analyze the logical adequacy of the theory.
 Determine if scientists agree on predictive ability of
the theory.
 Determine if the content makes sense.
 Identify any logical fallacies.
Conti…
4.Determine the usefulness of the theory.
 Is the theory practical and helpful to nursing?
 Does it contribute to understanding?
 Does it predicting outcomes?
5.Define the degree of generalizability.
 Is the theory highly generalizable or specific?
Conti…
6. Determine if the theory is parsimonious.
 Can the theory be stated briefly and simply or is it
complex?
7. Determine the testability of the theory.
 Can the theory be supported with empirical data?
 Can testable hypotheses be generated from the theory?
Jacqueline Fawcett and DeSanto
Madeya
1980,1993,1995,2000,2005,2013
The components of Theory analysis in Fawcett include:
1. Theory’s origion.
2. Unique Focus.
3. Content.
Conti….
1. Theory Origion:
 Historical evolution of theory.
 Author’s motivation.
 Philosophical assumptions about Nursing.
 The author’s inclusion of works of nursing.
Conti….
2. Unique Focus.
The unique focus refers to distinctive views of the
metaparadigm concepts, like:
• Problems in nurse– patient situations.
• Differences in modes of nursing interventions.
She notes that theories can be categorized as:

• Client-focused.
• person–environment interaction–focused.
• Nursing therapeutics–focused.
Conti….
3. Content
The content of the model is examined to analyze the
abstract and general concepts and propositions.
 Nursing
 Environment.
 Health.
 Person.
Theory Description and Critique
Chinn And Kramer(2015)
Critical reflection of a theory involves determining
how well a theory serves its purpose. Critical reflection
analyzes clarity and consistency of the theory as well
as its complexity, generality, accessibility, and
importance.
Synthesized Method of Theory Evaluation
 The detailed review and comparison of the many
methods for theory analysis and evaluation, a method
specifically designed.
 These criteria were synthesized from the works of
noted nursing scholars described earlier and are

intended to be contemporary and responsive to both
recent and anticipated changes in use of theory in
nursing practice, research, education, and
administration.
Synthesized Method of Theory Evaluation
Theory Description
1. What is the purpose of the theory (describe,
explain, predict, prescribe)?
2. What is the scope or level of the theory (grand,
middle range, practice/situation specific)?
3. What are the origins of the theory?
4. What are the major concepts?
5. What are the major theoretical propositions?
6. What are the major assumptions?
7. Is the context for use described?
Conti…
Theory Analysis
1. Are concepts theoretically and operationally
defined?
2. Are statements theoretically and operationally
defined? Are linkages explicit?
3. Is the theory logically organized?
4. Is there a model/diagram?
5. Does the model contribute to clarifying the theory?
6. Are the concepts, statements, and assumptions
used consistently?
7. Are outcomes or consequences stated or predicted?
Conti…
Theory Evaluation
1. Is the theory congruent with current nursing
standards?
2. Is the theory congruent with current nursing
interventions or therapeutics?
3. Has the theory been tested empirically?
4. Is it supported by research?
5. Does it appear to be accurate/valid?
6. Is there evidence that the theory has been used by
nursing educators, nursing researchers, or nursing
administrators?
Conti…
7.Is the theory relevant socially?
8.Is the theory relevant cross-culturally?
9. Does the theory contribute to the discipline of
nursing?
10.What are implications for nursing related to
implementation of the theory?
Summary
Theory evaluation is the process of systematically
examining a theory; the intent of evaluation is to
determine how well the theory guides practice,research,
education, or administration. The process of theory
evaluation typically includes examination of the
theory’s origins, meaning, logical adequacy, usefulness,
generalizability, and testability.
Conti…
Additional criteria are also considered, depending on
which process or technique is being used. Several
different methods for theory analysis/theory evaluation
have been proposed in the nursing literature. The
synthesized method for theory evaluation was derived
from other published methods and is intended to be
used to evaluate middle range and practice theories.
Referancs
Walker, L. O., & Avant, K. (2011). Strategies for theory
construction in nursing (5th ed.). Upper Saddle
River, NJ: Pearson.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2017). Theoretical basis
for nursing. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Streubert, H. J., & Carpenter, D. R. (2011). Qualitative
research in nursing: Advancing the humanistic
imperative (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins
.
Conti…
Meleis, A. I. (2012). Theoretical nursing: Development
and progress (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins.
Moody, L. E. (1990). Advancing nursing science
through research. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Chinn, P. L., & Kramer, M. K. (2015). Integrated
theory and knowledge development in nursing (9th
ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

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Zohrah Perveen

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Theory Analysis and Evaluation

Presented To : Mr. Muhammad Hussain

 Two Phase process- Theory Analysis

 Three Phase Process-

In later work, Hardy (1978) discussed :

Diagramming-develop relationship and linkages through

1. What is the origin of the problem(s) with which the theory

2. Does the theory guide practice or can it be used as a

How the components of the theory fit with each other;

She notes that theories can be categorized as:

noted nursing scholars described earlier and are

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