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Reasoning in a Specialty Area Clinical reasoning is a process used by nurses and other clinical professionals to collect data, process information, understand a patient’s situation or problem, develop treatments and interventions, and develop outcomes. This concept is often used synonymously with decision making or problem-solving. Even though they are related concepts, there is a […]

Deductive Reasoning Deductive reasoning encompasses a set of general propositions and a particular conclusion. This type of reasoning is “a process of starting with the general picture . . . and moving to a specific direction” (Liehr & Smith, 2006, p. 114). The general propositions of deductive rea- soning typically are referred to as premises,

Deductive Reasoning General form: Proceeds from the general to the particular Premise: If x is related to y, and Premise: if y is related to z, Hypothesis: then x is related to z. Example Premise: If personal health status is related to self-esteem, and Premise: if self-esteem is related to functional status, Hypothesis: then personal

Evaluation of Conceptual Models and Theories BOX 6-7 Inductive Reasoning General form: Proceeds from the particular to the general Observation: A is an instance of x. Observation: B is an instance of x. Observation: C is an instance of x. Conclusion: A, B, and C make up x. Example Observation: Doing household chores is a

Flaws in Inductive Reasoning Flaws in inductive reasoning occur when a relevant observation is excluded (Kerlinger & Lee, 2000). For example, suppose that a researcher observed many white swans and con- cluded that all swans are white. The flaw would be discovered when another observation revealed a black swan. Or, suppose that a nurse observed

Are the Middle-Range Theory Propositions Reasonable? The criterion of internal consistency also requires the propositions of the theory to be reasonable. This requirement is called structural consistency (Chinn & Kramer, 2004; Chapter 6 ■ Evaluation of Middle-Range Theories 79 1489_Ch06_073-088.qxd 7/8/08 2:25 PM Page 79 Fawcett, 1999). Propositions are reasonable when they follow the rules

Are the Same Term and Same Definition Used Consistently for Each Middle-Range Theory Concept? Semantic clarity is enhanced when the same term and same constitutive definition are used for each concept throughout the research report. The requirement for use of the same term and same constitutive definition is called semantic consistency (Chinn & Kramer, 2004;

Is Each Middle-Range Theory Concept Explicitly Identified and Clearly Defined? The criterion of internal consistency requires every concept of the theory to be explicitly iden- tified and clearly defined. This requirement, which is called semantic clarity (Chinn & Kramer, 2004; Fawcett, 1999), is met when each concept can be identified and both theoret- ical and

HOW IS THE CRITERION OF INTERNAL CONSISTENCY OF A MIDDLE-RANGE THEORY APPLIED? Internal consistency draws attention to the comprehensibility of the middle-range theory. Application of the criterion of internal consistency helps determine whether enough information about the theory concepts and propositions is given in the research report. Enough informa- tion means that you can identify

Is the Middle-Range Theory Theoretically Significant? The criterion of significance also requires the middle-range theory to be theoretically signif- icant. That means the theory offers new insights into the experiences of people who have a certain health condition. The theoretical significance of a nursing theory typically is explained in a concise summary of “what is