Conceptual analysis

From NursingWiki

The aim of a conceptual analysis is to end up with an operational definition of a concept that can be used in statements to describe the actual world and human existence e.g. provide he nurse, the researcher with a mental image or picture that enables them to recognise it. It allows to examine the attributes and characteristics of a concept and so creates conceptual models for both qualitative and qauntitative research.

Contents 1 Methodological approaches 1.1 Walker & Avant: traditional method 1.2 Rodgers & Knafl: evolutionary method 2 Weblinks

Methodological approaches

Walker & Avant: traditional method

"A mental image of a phenomena; an idea or a construct in the mind about a thing or an action"

• a theoretical snapshot in a moment in time
• the process of synthesising existing views on a concept result in the identification of the essence of the concept

1. identify the concept
2. determine aim/purpose of the analysis
3. identify all uses of the concept
4. determine the defining (or critical) attribute
5. construct a model case
6. construct a related, borderline, contrary and invented case
7. identify antecedents and consequences
8. define empirial references

This method involves formal steps and assumes that with such an explicit process, a complete understanding and description of a concept can be produced

Rodgers & Knafl: evolutionary method

"Concepts are being frmed by the identification of characteristics common to a class of objects or phenomena and the abstraction of clustering of these characteristics, along with some means of expression (most often a word)"

• offers an inductive way based on the idea that concepts are constantly evolving and changing
• evolutions of concepts, as a series o related changes in a certain direction, can therefore be assembled and analysed
• ofers a possibility to examine a concept's significance, use and application over time

1. identify the concept
2. identify surrogate terms and relevant uses of the concept
3. identify and select an appropriate sample, a minimum of 20% of the identified literature using a systematic and a broad time frame
4. identify the attributes of the concept
5. identify the references, antecedents and consequences
6. identify related concepts
7. identify a model "real case" case of the concept

This method is a more preliminary explorative process trying to reveal what exists in verbal and non-verbal expression of an idea or thought, describing concept development as a discovery cycle that over time passes through the phase of significance, use and apllication.

Weblinks