Page 520 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

STORy TheORy n 487

as that is a measure of the amount of vari- questions being addressed. multiple regres-
ance accounted for in the dependent variable. sion is the most commonly reported statisti-
A significant R indicates that a significant cal technique in health care research. It can S
2
amount of the variance in the dependent be used for both explanation and prediction
variable has been accounted for. Testing the but is more commonly reported as a method
b-weight tells us whether the independent for explaining the variability in an outcome
variable associated with it is contributing measure.
significantly to the variance accounted for in
the dependent variable. Barbara Munro
Although variables at all levels of mea-
surement may be entered into the regression
equation, nominal-level variables must be
specially coded prior to entry. Three main Story theory
types of coding are used: dummy, effect, and
orthogonal. Regardless of the method of cod-
ing used, the overall R is the same, as is its Collaborative work on story theory began
significance. The differences lie in the mean- in 1996, and the theory was first published
ing attached to testing the b-weights for sig- in 1999. In the 14 years since we first began
nificance. With dummy coding the b-weight thinking through the meaning of story shar-
represents the difference between the mean ing for health, we have accomplished a great
of the group represented by that b and the deal and have moved a short distance from
group assigned 0s throughout. In effect, cod- where we began. Story theory proposes that
ing the b’s represent the difference between story is a narrative happening of connecting
the mean of the group associated with that with self-in-relation through nurse–person
b-weight and the grand mean. With orthog- intentional dialogue to create ease. All nurs-
onal coding, the b-weight measures the dif- ing encounters occur within the context
ference between two means specified in a of story. The stories of the nurse, patient,
hypothesized contrast. Interactions among family, and other health care providers are
variables also may be coded and entered into woven together to create the tapestry of the
the regression equation. moment . . . the unfolding story about a com-
When using regression, it is of utmost plicating health challenge.
importance to select variables for inclusion Story theory directly connects to the
in the model on the basis of clear scientific focus through caring as intentional dia-
rationale. The method for entering variables logue about an experience of a complicating
into the equation is important, as it affects health challenge. When introduced, story
the interpretation of the results. Variables theory was named Attentively embracing
may be entered all at once, one at a time, Story (Smith & liehr, 1999), and the name
or in subsets. Decisions about method of was changed between 2003 and 2006 to story
entry may be statistical, as in stepwise entry theory. Attentively embracing is still cen-
(where the variable with the highest correla- tral to the underlying meaning of the theory
tion with the dependent variable is entered indicating the importance of accepting self-
first), or theoretical. Stepwise methods have in-relation to one’s world to create a sense
been criticized for capitalizing on chance of comfort. Story theory provides a relevant
related to imperfect measurement of the structure for guiding advanced practice
variables being correlated. It is generally rec- nursing where gathering stories is a central
ommended that decisions about the order of activity in the nurse–patient interchange.
entry of variables into the regression equation Story theory is based on three assump-
should be made on the basis of the research tions that underpin the conceptual structure: