Processes of Inquiry:
Concept Development and
Synthesis as Inquiry
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Overview
“Concepts are mental constructions; they are our attempts to order our
environmental stimuli. Concepts, therefore, represent categories of
information that contain defining attributes. Concepts contain within them
the defining characteristics or attributes that permit us to decide which
phenomena are good examples of the concept and which are not.”
- Olszewski Walker, L. & Coalson Avant, K. (1988). p. 35.
“Careful concept development is the basis of any attempt to describe or
explain phenomena. It is also prerequisite to any adequate theory. The
process of concept synthesis is one of the most exciting ways of
beginning theory building. It permits the theorist to use clinical
experience as one place to begin.”
- Olszewski Walker, L. & Coalson Avant, K. (1988),p. 34, 51.
Concept development is a critical approach to theory development and inquiry in nursing and in other disciplines. The very essence of any theory depends upon the identification and explication of the concepts within it. Concepts are used to classify our experiences in a meaningful way. Concept development is necessary in a number of nursing inquiry situations. For one, if there are no or very few concepts identified or available in the nurse theorist’s focal area of interest. Second, if identified concepts are unclear, outmoded or unhelpful, new concepts are needed. Thirdly, if the literature on a particular theory is available but the concepts are not pertinent to the phenomena in question. Concepts are often referred to as variables. Once operationalized, concepts can be used in research.
Ends In View
This learning activity is intended to provide learners with the opportunity to:
1. Explore the process of concept development for nursing.
2.Recognize the link between concept development and nursing inquiry.
3. Apply the process of concept development to structure nursing inquiry and new theory development.
4. Understand the various ways that concept synthesis can be used in nursing inquiry.
5. Recognize the importance of concept synthesis for the professional practice of nursing.
In Preparation
1. READ: Lee, I., Lee, E., Kim, H., Park, Y. S, Song, M., Park, Y. H. (2003). Concept development of family resilience: A study of Korean families with a chronically ill child. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 13, 636 – 645.
2. . READ: Golberg, B. (1998). Connection: An exploration of spirituality in nursing care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 27, 836 – 842.
In Practice
1. Participate in class discussion on concept development and synthesis in nursing using various forms of nursing inquiry.
2. Make a list of how concept development would differ if done using:
a) scientific inquiry or
b) phenomenological inquiry to define a human being.
List the concepts you come up with for each. Are any of the concepts the same?
Now, do the same for the topic of Nursing.
3. Draw a concept map in small groups to illustrate the concept synthesis described by Golberg. How would this differ if the author had used the other ways of concept synthesis: searching for similarities and discrepancies among sets of related concepts, or observing previously undescribed phenomena?
4. How did Lee et al apply the concept development process in their study? Does this have utility for other forms of nursing research and/or practice?
In Reflection
1. Is concept development only done by professionals? Is it purely an academic task?
2. How will concept development be important to your future practice?
3. Notice how your mind synthesizes concepts in your daily life.
4. How do you apply concept synthesis in your nursing practice? How can you apply it in a more theoretical and inquiry-based way?
References
Golberg, B. (1998). Connection: An exploration of spirituality in nursing care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 27, 836 – 842.
Lee, I., Lee, E., Kim, H., Park, Y. S, Song, M., Park, Y. H. (2003). Concept development of family resilience: A study of Korean families with a chronically ill child. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 13, 636 – 645.
Olszewski Walker, L. & Coalson Avant, K. (1988). Concept Development. Strategies for theory construction in nursing. 2nd ed. Norwalk, CT: Appleton & Lange, p. 63 – 73.
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Welcome to NRSG 3225!
LA #10 PPT
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Concept Development Model
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Synthesizing Information
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