Deck 25: Theory Testing and Theory Evaluation

Question 1

Which phrase most accurately defines conceptual models?

A) Statements or phrases that capture the essence of something
B) Abstract general work from which theories are derived
C) Statements about one or more concepts
D) Diverse research works that form the basis of practice

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Why are empirical indicators used to test theory concepts and propositions?

A) They are free from the testing biases and errors of most measuring devices.
B) They offer a more complete representation of nursing concerns than other tools.
C) They function as real-world proxies for phenomena that aren't directly observable.
D) They reduce the amount of time it takes to gather data and test the theory.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which phrase provides context to a nursing theory?

A) A health-related condition or event of interest
B) The C-T-E model used to test the theory
C) A nurse or research group studying the theory
D) The conceptual framework upon which the theory is based

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which statement does not describe one of the primary ways in which theory generation and theory testing differ from one another?

A) Theory development yields descriptive theories and theory testing yields descriptive, explanatory, or predictive theories.
B) Theory development moves from conceptual model to empirical indicator to theory in the C-T-E structure and theory testing moves from conceptual model to theory to empirical indicators.
C) Theory development relies on deductive reasoning and theory testing relies on inductive reasoning.
D) Theory development utilizes descriptive research and theory testing utilizes descriptive, correlational, or experimental research.

Question 5

Which statement best represents one of the arguments against linking a conceptual nursing model to an existing theory from another discipline?

A) The application of the borrowed theory to the nursing context ignores the nuances under which the theory was developed.
B) The assumptions of the borrowed theory are not directly transferable to a patient-care setting.
C) The validity of the borrowed theory has not been proven via systematic use in the nursing discipline.
D) The philosophical assumptions of the borrowed theory and the nursing model may not be congruent.

Question 6

Which statement best describes the concept of specification adequacy?

A) The clarity of connections between the conceptual model, the theory, and the empirical indicators
B) The amount of information about the conceptual model that is used to construct the C-T-E structure
C) The adherence of the theory research to universally recognized and defined research standards
D) The extent to which a theory is socially and theoretically important

Question 7

Which step in the process of C-T-E structure evaluation is concerned with evaluating empirical research methods?

A) Step 1
B) Step 2
C) Step 3
D) Step 5

Question 8

Which is not one of the criteria used to evaluate a theory?

A) Linkage
B) Internal consistency
C) Parsimony
D) Significance

Question 9

In order for a theory to be empirically adequate, what must it do or be?

A) It must yield reliable and valid quantitative data.
B) It must be completely congruent with the theory concepts and propositions.
C) It must reveal no major flaws in the conceptual model or its propositions.
D) It must yield dependable and credible qualitative data.

Question 10

Horace is taking part in a research study and has been asked to evaluate the C-T-E structures used by the study to generate theory. During his evaluation, Horace discovers that the study's findings reveal a major flaw in the propositions used by the conceptual model being studied. Based on his findings, which statement is true about the research findings?

A) They are not operationally adequate.
B) They are not parsimonious.
C) They are not legitimate.
D) They are not empirically adequate.