Page 8 - INTRODUCTION OF NURSING 1.3 Nursing Theories
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Introduction
• Concepts may be empirical or abstract depending on their ability to be
observed in the real world.
• Concepts are said to be empirical when they can be observed or
experienced through the senses.
• Example: A stethoscope is an example of an empirical concept because it
can be seen and touched.
• Abstract concepts are those that are not observable, such as caring, hope
and infinity.
• A nursing theory provides the framework that links nursing research,
nursing practice, and nursing knowledge.
