Conceptual Models and Theoretical Models

Theoretical Models or Frameworks are highly established set of concepts

that are testable. The following is a theoretical framework as proposed by Lydia
Hall, a nurse theorist.

The Person
Social Sciences
Therapeutic use
of self
“The Core” The
The Body Disease
Natural and Pathological and
Biological Therapeutic
Sciences Sciences
Intimate bodily Seeing the patient
care and family
through the
“The Care” medical care
“The Cure”
Conceptual models or Frameworks are representations of an idea or body
of knowledge based on the own understanding or perception of a person or
researcher on a certain topic, phenomena or theory. They can be represented thru a
diagram or in narrative form which shows how concepts are interrelated.

Physical Lowered
PERSON Fitness Blood
Exercise Pressure

Conceptual Framework vs. Theoretical Framework

CONCEPTUAL THEORETICAL
It is a structure of concepts or theories It is a structure of concepts which exist
which are pulled together as map for or tested in the literature, a ready-made
the study. map for the study.

Types of Definition of concepts

CONCEPTUAL THEORETICAL
Comparable to definition from a Specifies exactly how the concept will be
literature such as a dictionary, determined and assess it also identifies
encyclopedia, and journals. procedures and operations significant to
determine concepts.
Example 1: Hospital Stay
The time during which a person is a The total of days as patient, beginning
registered patient in a certain hospital. with admission day and finishing with
discharge.
Example 2:Ambulation
To walk from one place to another or to Taking 6 steps without assistance.
move about.

Science
In its broadest sense, science, from the Latin scientia, meaning “knowledge”,
refers to any systematic knowledge or practice in a discipline of study. In a more
causal sense, science refers to a system of acquiring knowledge based on the
scientific method. It is also the organized body of knowledge gained through
research.

This Scientific Method includes several steps:

Scientific Method
Observation
Gathering Information/ Data
Forming Hypothesis
Experimental Investigation
Integration of knowledge and/or
phenomena by a rational/sentient being.
Example: Elmer, a nurse- researcher
observes a certain nursing phenomena
and makes a study about it.
Recognition and collecting data for a
particular scientific problem or inquiry.
Example: His colleague, Dave helps him
to gather data thru various methods.
An attempt to explain or suggest a
nature of a phenomenon.
A set of examination done to solve the
particular query raised through the
hypothesis process.
Example: They conduct a survey and

Conclusion or Theoretical Explanation
interview, and apply statistical treatment
on the data.
A statement explaining a set of natural
phenomena or a scientific query derived
from Experimental investigation.
Example: Based from the result, they
draw a conclusion. As new data
emerges, the study is reexamined and
verified.

What is Knowledge?

Knowledge can be defined as:

• Information, skills and expertise acquired by a person through various life
experiences, or through formal/informal learning such as formal education,
self study, vocational.
• The abstract or workable understanding of a subject or idea
• What is known in a particular or awareness or familiarity gained by
experience of a fact or situation.
• There is however no single agreed of classification of knowledge.

Knowledge acquirement involves several cognitive processes.

KNOWLED
GE

Percepti Associati Learnin Reasoni Communicat

on on g ng ion

Types of Cognitive Process

Perception Achieving understanding of sensory data
Association Combining two or more concepts/ideas
to form a new concept, or for comparison
Learning Acquiring experience, skills, information
and values
Reasoning Mental process of seeking conclusions
through reason
Communication Transferring data from sender to
receiver using different mediums or of
 communication

What is the Source?

Knowledge emerges from a range of source which can be categorized into

three namely Traditional, authoritative and scientific sources.
• Traditional knowledge is a nursing practice which is passed down from
generation to generation. When asked about the basis of the nursing
practice the answer would be as simple as “it’s always been practiced
this way”. An example of a traditional knowledge that had an impact to
nursing practice is the routine changing of bed linens whether it is soiled or
not. This practice is commonly observed in an ICU setup. Even though there
are no research data to support this, still the practice is adopted in the
hospital as an important component of providing quality patient care.
• Authoritative knowledge is an idea by a person of authority which is
perceived as true because of his or her expertise. An example of this
type of knowledge can be seen in the clinical setting in which a nursing
supervisor who considered expert in the field is teaching a nurse beginner on
the proper insertion of urinary catheter insertion. The nurse supervisor is
well equipped with knowledge and skills about the procedure through
experience and the novice nurse accept it as true because of the authority
of the expert nurse. As long as the recognized authority maintains his or
her perceived expertise authoritative knowledge in general is accepted.
• Scientific knowledge is a type of knowledge which came from a
scientific method through research. These new ideas are tested and
measured systematically using objective criteria. For example a
student nurse providing Tepid Sponge Bath (TSB) to a patient with fever,
should know the rationale (reason) behind this procedure, which is heat
transfer through evaporation (basic physics).

The underlying principle in the procedure is a concrete example of a knowledge

based from a scientific point of view. The three sources of knowledge are valuable
in the body of knowledge that represents the nursing profession. However each of
them has its own strong and weak points.

Types of Knowledge ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

Traditional and >Practical to implement >Based on subjective data
Authoritative >Limited use in a variety
of practice setting
>In nursing practice,
scientific knowledge
through evidence – based
practice and research
serves as the main focus
Scientific >Systematic and accurate > Requires time and effort
>Theories it creates are to produce credible results
less subjective than
knowledge gained by
other methods

Phenomenon

A phenomenon can be defined as set of empirical data or experiences that

can be physically observed or tangible such as crying or grimacing when in pain. It
is concerned with how an individual person reacts using the human senses
concerning their surrounding and assessing the different behaviors and factors that
affect such behaviors.

In Nursing, phenomena can be:

• Clinical or environment setting of nursing – health canter
• Disease process – stomach ulcer
• Client’s process – guarding behavior at the pain site
• Interventions – care of the client in pain
• Practice that are utilized in nursing theories and metaparadigms (person,
nursing, health and environment)

KEY POINTS
Phenomenon An empirical data that can be observed
Concepts Building blocks of theories which can
either be an empirical or abstract
Conceptual models Derived from a person’s own point of
view
Paradigms Another term for Conceptual framework
or model
Assumptions Statements that the theorist hold as
factual
Propositions Statement that imply the relationships of
concepts
Hypothesis A testable relationship statement
Research Use of systematic methods to study a
phenomenon and create general
knowledge.
Induction A type of reasoning that uses specific
details to form general conclusion.
Deduction A type of reasoning wherein general
conclusions are made based from
specific concepts.