Page 50 - alligood 8th edition_Neat

CHAPTER 3 Theory Development Process 31

are to some degree attempting to predict. This form highly developed form of theory development that
of theory organization consists of a set of concepts, a builds successively on previous research findings in
set of definitions, a set of existence statements, and a the researchers’ area of research with extensive theory
set of theoretical statements specifying a causal pro- building and testing over time. Figure 3-1 displays a
cess (Reynolds, 1971). Concepts include abstract and causal model for testing a theory of active coping. The
concrete ideas. Existence statements function as they broken lines show direction of expected linkage. The
do in axiomatic theories to describe the scope condi- dotted lines indicate potential new relationships.
tions of the theory; that is, the assumed situations The arrows indicate the direction of cause that is pre-
where the theory applies (Dubin, 1978; Hage, 1972; dicted in the hypotheses of the study. The numbers
Reynolds, 1971). Causal statements specify the hy- along the lines identify previous studies that lend sup-
pothesized effects of one variable upon one or more port for the relationships being proposed.
other variables for testing. In complex causal pro-
cesses, feedback loops and paths of influence through Contemporary Issues in Nursing
several variables are hypothesized in a set of interre- Theory Development
lated causal statements (Mullins, 1971; Nowak, 1975).
Reynolds (1971) concludes that the causal process Theoretical Boundaries and Levels
form of theory provides for testing an explanation to Advance Nursing Science
of the process of how events happen. He identified Since Fawcett’s (1984) seminal proposal of the four
several advantages of the causal process form of orga- metaparadigm concepts: person, environment, health,
nization. First, like axiomatic theory, it provides for and nursing, general agreement has emerged among
highly abstract, theoretical concepts. Second, like nursing scholars such that the proposed framework
axiomatic theory, this form permits more efficient is now used without reference to the author for the
research testing with its interrelated theoretical state- development of nursing science. In general, a metapar-
ments. Finally, the causal process statements provide adigm should specify the broad boundaries of the
a sense of understanding in the phenomenon of inter- phenomenon of concern in a discipline, for example,
est that is not possible with other forms. This is a to set nursing apart from other disciplines, such as

Passive/
avoidance
1,2,3,4 (+) coping
1,2,3 (+) 1,3 (+)
1,2,3 (+)
1,2,3,4 (+) 1,2,3 (+)
Conflicts Perceived Psychological
stress distress

1,2,3 (+)

Available/ 1,2,4 (+) Active
enacted coping
social support

FIGURE 3-1 Causal model of active coping. (From Ducharme, F., Ricard, N., Duquette, A., & Lachance, I.
(1998). Empirical testing of a longitudinal model derived from the Roy Adaptation Model. Nursing Science
Quarterly, 11(4), 149–159.)