Research Analysis In Nursing
Concept Analysis In Health Care
Concept analysis is a strategy used for examining concepts for their semantic structure. Although there are several methods for conducting concept analysis, all of the methods have the purpose of determining the defining attributes or characteristics of the concept under study.
Some uses of a concept analysis are refining and clarifying concepts in theory, practice, and research and arriving at precise theoretical and operational definitions for research or for instrument development.
Concept analysis has been used in other disciplines,
particularly philosophy and linguistics, for many years. However, the
techniques have only recently been "discovered" by nurses interested
in semantics and language development in the discipline.
Concept Analysis As A Tool
Concept analysis is a useful tool for nurses conducting research. Because the outcome of a concept analysis is a set of defining characteristics that tells the researcher "what counts" as the concept, it allows the researcher to:
(a) formulate a clear, precise theoretical and/or operational definition to be used in the study
(b) choose measurement instruments that accurately reflect the defining characteristics of the concept to be measured
(c) determine if a new instrument is needed (if no extant measure adequately reflects the defining characteristics)
(d) accurately identify the concept when it arises in
clinical practice or in qualitative research data
Concept Analysis In Nursing Analysis
Concept analyzes were relatively rare in nursing research until the early 1980s but have increased dramatically in number over the past 2 decades. Concept analysis is particularly relevant to a young science such as nursing.
The process, regardless of method, requires rigorous thinking about the language used to describe the phenomenon of concern to the discipline. Doing a concept analysis causes the researcher to be much more aware of and sensitive to the use of language in research.
A conscious awareness of the language chosen to represent the phenomenon is necessary if nursing scientists are to develop a comprehensible body of knowledge for the discipline.It is also necessary for thoughtful practitioners to be aware of the language of the discipline.
How nurses think about and describe the problems and solutions relevant to their practice is of paramount importance in helping the consumer of nursing care and the policymakers who influence the practice milieu to understand what nursing is and what nurses do.
If nurses do not have a central core of well-defined
concepts to describe their practice, then confusion and ambiguity will persist,
and the development of nursing science will suffer.
Use Fullness Of Concept Analysis For Nursing Analysis
Concept analysis has become a useful adjunct to nursing research. The outcome of a concept analysis significantly facilitates communication between researchers and practitioners alike.
By specifying the defining characteristics of a concept, the researcher or practitioner makes it clear what counts as the concept so that anyone else reading about it or discussing it understands what is meant.
Being clear about meaning allows better communication between scientists and practitioners about the usefulness and appropriateness of nursing language.
Literature Review
There
is considerable discussion in the literature about which method of analysis is
the most useful. Regardless of the method used, concept analyzes can contribute
significant insights into the phenomenon of concern to nurses.
Give your opinion if have any.