THEORETICAL/CONCEPTUAL

FRAMEWORK
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
DEFINITIONS:
Framework
The abstract, logical
structure of meaning that
guides the development of
the study and enables the
researcher to link the
findings to nursing’s body
of knowledge.
Theoretical Framework
Term used in a study
based on a theory.
Conceptual Framework
Term used in a study that
has its roots in a specified
conceptual model.
Concept
A term that abstractly
describes and names an
object or phenomenon,
thus providing it with a
separate identity or
meaning.
Theory
Consists of an integrated set
of defined concepts,
existence statements, and
relational statements that
present a view of a
phenomenon and can be
used to describe, explain,
predict, and/or control that
phenomenon.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Relational Statements Conceptual Map
Declares that a Diagrams the
relationship of some interrelationships of the
kind exists between two concepts and
or more concepts. statements.

Conceptual Model Conceptual Derivation

A set of highly abstract, Conceptual definition
related construct that derived from theories in
broadly explains other disciplines.
phenomena of interest,
expresses assumptions,
and reflects a
philosophical stance.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
BASIC NURSING CONCEPTS
2. Person
3. Environment
4. Health
5. Nursing
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
CONCEPTUAL MODELS
I. Open System IV. Health Care
Models Systems Model
> Imogene King (1981) > Betty Neuman (1989)
II. Theory of Culture V. Health as Expanding
Care Consciousness
Diversity > Margaret Newman (1994)
and Universality VI. Self-Care Model
> Madeline Leininger(1991)
> Dorothea Orem (1985)
III. Conservation
Model
> Myra Levine (1973)
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
IX. Adaptation Model
VII. Theory of Human
Becoming > Sr. Callista Ray (1984, 1991)

X. Theory of Caring
> Rosemarie Rizzo (1992,
1995) > Jean Watson (1999)

VIII. Science of
Unitary Human
Beings
> Martha Rogers (1970,
1986)
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THEORY AND RESEARCH
• Reciprocal and mutual
• Research plays a dual and continuing role in
theory building and testing.
• Theory guides and generates ideas for
research.
• Research assesses the worth of the theory
and provides a foundation for new theories.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
STEPS IN CONSTRUCTING A STUDY
FRAMEWORK
2. Selecting and defining concepts
3. Developing relational statements
4. Developing hierarchical statement
sets
5. Constructing a conceptual map
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
I. Selecting and Defining Concepts
• Concepts are selected for a framework based on the
relevance to the phenomenon of concern. Thus, the
problem statement, which describes the phenomenon of
concern, will be a rich source of concepts for the
framework.
• Example: Fink (1991) stated the purpose of her study was
to “examine the influence of family resources and demands
on the well being of families providing care to an elderly
parent and on the strains experienced by the family unit”.
The concepts she selected were family systems well being.
Two types of family system were included: Social support
resources and internal system resources.
• Each concept included in the framework needs to be
conceptually defined.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
• Sources of conceptual definitions are the
following:
1. Published concept analysis.
2. Literature associated with instrument
development related to the concept.
• When acceptable conceptual definitions are
not available, concept synthesis of concept
analysis needs to be performed in order to
develop the definition.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Fink’s sample of Conceptual
Definitions:
2. Family support
3. Internal family system resources
4. Family demands
5. Family strains
6. Family well-being
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
II. Developing Relational Statements
• Link all of the concepts through relational
statements.
• Relational statements need to be obtained
from theoretical works and sources cited.
• The researcher developing a framework
may need to extract statements that are
embedded in the literary text of an existing
theory.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Steps of Extracting Statements
2. Select a portion of a theory discussing the relationships between
or among two or three concepts.
3. Write down a single sentence from the theory that seems to be a
relational statement.
4. Express it diagrammatically using the statement diagrams.
5. Move to the next statement and express it diagrammatically.
6. Continue until all the statements related to the selected concepts
have been diagrammatically expressed.
7. Examine the linkage among the diagrammatic statements you
have developed.
• If statements relating the concepts of interest are not
available in the literature, statement synthesis will be necessary.
This means that the researcher will have to develop statements
proposing specific relationships among the concepts being
studied.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Fink’s Sample of Relational
Statements
I.
Family Social
Supports

Strains Family
Well-being
Internal Family
System Resources
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
II.

Family Social
Supports Strains

Family System
Resources Well-being
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
III.

Family Demand
Family life changes
Care provided to elderly Strains Well-being
Appraisal of caregiving
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
IV.

Strains Well-being
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
III. Developing Hierarchical Statement
Sets
• Composed of a specific proposition and a
hypothesis or research question.
• If conceptual model is included, the set
may also include a general proposition.
• The proposition is listed first, with the
hypothesis or research question
immediately following.
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
IV. Constructing a Conceptual Map
• The following information must be available:
1. A clear problem and purpose statement.
2. The concept of interest, including conceptual
definitions.
3. Results of an integrative review of the theoretical and
empirical literature.
4. Relational statements linking the concepts, expressed
literally and diagrammatically.
5. Identification and analysis of existing theories that
address the relationships of interest.
6. Identification of existing conceptual models congruent
with the developing framework.
7. Linking of proposed relationships with hypotheses,
questions, or objectives (Hierarchical statement sets).
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Steps of Developing a Map
2. Arrange the concepts in sequence of occurrence (or causal
linkage) from left to right, with concept(s) reflecting the
outcome(s) located on the far right.
3. Concepts that are elements of a more abstract construct
can be placed in a frame or box.
4. Sets of closely interrelated concepts can be linked by
enclosing them in a frame or circle.
5. Using arrows, link the concepts in a way consistent with
the diagrammatic statements you have previously
developed.
6. The path of relationships may diverge, in some cases, so
that there are then two or more paths of concepts. The
paths may again converge at a later point.
7. Every concept should be linked to at least one other
concept.
 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Sample of Developing a Map

Nurse teaches
Nurses’ Mother how to Mother learns Maternal Maternal care Decreased
Role Render care to how to give Anxiety To child Maternal
Change child Care to child decreases increases Role strain

Less
Child anxiety
Regressive
decreased
behavior

Effects of Role Supplementation

Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Example of Fink’s Conceptual Map

FAMILY RESOURCES
2. Family social support FAMILY
3. Family internal system resources WELL-BEING

FAMILY DEMANDS
2. Family changes/transitions
3. Amount of help to elder FAMILY
4. Caregiver appraisal STRAINS
Theory Generation:
observations (concrete) and the
translation (abstract) -examples

 Observation: The early posttransplant

time period is characterized by
depersonalization of the transplanted
organ, hypervigilance for signs of
rejection, and an inability to plan for the
future. Quality of life is compromised by a
sense of tentativeness in terms of well-
being.
 Translation: The initial period is one of
detachment
 Another example
Observation: Once the immediate threat of
organ rejection has passed the transplant
recipient is able to claim ownership of the
organ. There is less worry about organ
rejection and the resumption of the more
normal lifestyle. The recipient is able to
plan for the future. QOL improves.

Translation: A perception of safety and

security is necessary for attachment to
the donated organ and an improved QOL.
Proposed Theory

Detachment Attachment
“It”
•Hypervigilance “mine”
•Tentativeness Organ •Normal lifestyle
•Inability to plan for acceptance •Permanence
the future •Physiologic •Ability to plan for
•Low quality of life •Cognitive the future
•emotional •Improved QOL
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework
Critiquing the Framework of a study
Guidelines:
3. Does the research describe an explicit theoretical or conceptual
framework for the study? (If not, does the absence of an explicit
framework detract from the usefulness of significance of the
research?)
4. Does the report adequately describe the major features of the
framework so that readers can understand the conceptual basis of
the study?
5. Does the research problem and hypotheses naturally flow from
the framework, or does the purported link between the problem
and the framework seem contrived?
6. Are conceptual definitions of the concepts in the study provided –
and are the definitions consistent with framework?
7. Does the researcher tie the findings of the study back to the
framework at the end of the report? How do the findings support
of undermine the framework?