Glossary of Terms
1. Theory – A systematic explanation of an event in which constructs and concepts are identified and relationships are proposed and predictions made (McEwen & Wills, 2011, p. 22).
2. Research – The diligent, systematic inquiry or investigation to validate and refine existing knowledge and generate new knowledge. (Burns & Grove, 2009, p. 2).
3. Science – A way of explaining observed phenomena as well as a system of gathering, verifying, and systematizing information about reality (McEwen & Wills, 2011, p. 4).
4. Concept – Terms that refer to the phenomena that occur in nature or in thought (McEwen & Wills, 2011, p. 47).
5. Conceptual Framework – Structures that relate concepts together in a meaningful way (McEwen & Wills, 2011, p. 53).
6. Framework – The abstract, logical structure of meaning that guides development of the study and enables the researcher to link the findings to the body of knowledge for nursing (Burns & Grove, 2009, p. 701).
7. Practice Problem – A sub-optimal condition within one’s nursing practice that serves as a stimulus for change.
8. Research Topic – Concepts or broad problem areas that indicate the foci of essential research knowledge needed to provide evidence-based nursing practice. Research topics include numerous potential research problems (Burns & Grove, 2009, p. 720).
9. Research Topic – Concise, interrogative statements developed to direct studies that are focused on description of variables, examination of relationships among variables, determination of differences between two or more groups, and prediction of dependent variable using independent variables (Burns & Grove, 2009, p. 720).
References:
McEwin, M., & Wills, E.M. (2011). Theoretical basis for nursing (3rd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Burns, N., & Grove, S. (2009). The practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier...