Situation-specific theories: Philosophical roots, properties, and approach

Author(s): Meleis, A. I.

Journal/Book: Advan Nurs Sci. 1999; 22: 7201 Mckinney Circle, Frederick, MD 21704, USA. Aspen Publ Inc. 11-24.

Abstract: It is imperative to further develop theoretical bases in nursing, which incorporate diversities and complexities in nursing phenomena, and which consider sociopolitical, cultural, and historic contexts of nursing encounters. Situation-specific theories are proposed in this work as a future direction of such theoretical bases in nursing. Philosophical roots and properties of situation-specific theories are discussed, and an integrative approach to developing this type of theories is suggested. Situation-specific theories could be based on the assumptions of post-empiricism, critical social theory and feminism, and or hermeneutics. Six properties of situation-specific theories are presented: (1) low level of abstraction, (2) reflection of specific nursing phenomena, (3) context, (4) connection to research and/or practice, (5) incorporation of diversities, and (6) limits in generalization. The proposed integrative approach to developing situation-specific theories includes (1) a nursing perspective, (2) a linkage among theory, research, and practice, and (3) a conceptual scheme based on internal and external dialogues.

Note: Article Im EO, Univ Wisconsin, Sch Nursing, Dept Hlth Maintenance, Milwaukee,WI 53201 USA

Keyword(s): approach; future direction; philosophy; property; situation-specific theories; theory development; NURSING PRACTICE; SCIENCE; PERSPECTIVES; INTEGRATION; EXPERIENCE; DIVERSITY; KNOWLEDGE; FEMINISM; CRITIQUE; ILLNESS

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