Conceptual structures that are nearly as abstract as the nursing models from which they are derived but

propose outcomes based on use and application of the model in the nursing practice.
All-inclusive conceptual structures, abstract, including different perspective views of person, health and environment Provide different ways of thinking about nursing and address the metaparadigm concepts that are central to its meaning.

 Lower

in level of abstraction than grand theories, they offer a more direct application to research and practice
to nursing practice and specify the area of practice, age, range of the patient, nursing action or intervention and proposed outcome

Specific

 Lies

between grand and micro; synthesizes practice and research

at the intersection of research and practice, practice generates research questions, and research informs understanding of theory and practice.

Emerge

 Known

to be the most concrete and narrow in scope

and limited to particular populations or fields of practice linking of concrete concepts into a statement that can be observed in practice and research

Situation-specific

a.

High abstraction micro-range

Low abstraction micro-range

b.

ANALYSIS
Historical evolution of the theory Approach to model development Content Source of concern

EVALUATION
Explicitness of assumption Degree of comprehensiveness Logical Congruence Ability of the model to test and generate hypothesis Contribution of the model to nursing knowledge

Criteria

Questions to be asked

Clarity

Is the theory clearly stated? How clear is the theory? Is it easily understood?
How simple is the theory? How general is the theory? How broad is the scope of the theory? Is the theory testable? How accessible is the theory?

Simplicity Generality Empirical Precision

Derivable Consequences

How important is the theory? Does the theory have a significant contribution to nursing knowledge?