Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

This ideal introduction to theory explains what theory is, how theory is used in professional nursing and encourages students to develop reasoning skills and incorporate abstract ideas into practice. The Second Edition introduces more research concepts throughout and an increased international perspective of nursing theory. Case studies are incorporated to demonstrate how theory relates to the practice of nursing and how theory and reasoning are interrelated.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Chapter 1 An Introduction (p. 1)
• Introduction (p. 2)
• Theory, Reasoning, and Research in Everyday Life (p. 2)
• Summary (p. 7)
• Chapter 2 Language, Meaning, and Structure (p. 9)
• Introduction (p. 10)
• Theory, Knowledge, Research, and Reasoning: What Are They and Why Are They Important? (p. 11)
• The Language of Theory, Knowledge, Research, and Reasoning (p. 15)
• Putting It All Together (p. 21)
• Summary (p. 24)
• Chapter 3 Operationalizing Relationships (p. 31)
• Introduction (p. 32)
• Types of Theory (p. 32)
• Stimulating New Theory (p. 36)
• Operationalizing Theory, Knowledge, Research, and Reasoning (p. 38)
• Summary (p. 47)
• Chapter 4 Theory and Reasoning (p. 49)
• Introduction (p. 50)
• Developing Reasoning Skills (p. 56)
• Types of Reasoning (p. 58)
• Factors Influencing Reasoning in Nursing (p. 61)
• The Role of Nursing Process in Reasoning (p. 66)
• Putting It All Together (p. 68)
• Summary (p. 69)
• Chapter 5 Support Theory (p. 73)
• Introduction (p. 74)
• Grand Theories That Support Nursing (p. 75)
• The Role of Women in Early Theory Development (p. 100)
• Summary (p. 100)
• Chapter 6 Foundations Of Theory (p. 105)
• Introduction (p. 106)
• The Influence of Education on the Growth of Nursing Theory (p. 106)
• Other Influences on the Growth of Nursing Theory (p. 111)
• Summary (p. 117)
• Chapter 7 Nursing Theory (p. 121)
• Introduction (p. 122)
• Nurse Theorists and Theories (p. 122)
• Florence Nightingale and Nursing Theory (p. 123)
• Theory Development in the 1950s (p. 128)
• Nursing Theory in the 1960s (p. 135)
• Nursing Theory in the 1970s (p. 147)
• Nursing Theory in the 1980s (p. 174)
• Nursing Theory in the 1990s and 2000 (p. 188)
• A Global View of Nursing Theory (p. 195)
• Summary (p. 199)
• Chapter 8 Critiquing Theory (p. 207)
• Introduction (p. 208)
• A Criterion-Based Critique Model (p. 208)
• Using the Model (p. 209)
• Advanced Theory Analysis Models (p. 232)
• Summary (p. 234)
• Chapter 9 Introduction to Research (p. 237)
• Introduction (p. 238)
• Philosophies Influencing the Development of Nursing Research (p. 238)
• Introduction to Research (p. 241)
• The Research Process (p. 247)
• Ethical Considerations in Nursing Research (p. 259)
• Research, Reasoning, and Evidence-Based Practice (p. 261)
• Criterion-Based Critique for Research (C-BaCR) (p. 263)
• Becoming a Sophisticated Consumer of Research (p. 271)
• Summary (p. 273)
• Chapter 10 Theory and Practice (p. 277)
• Introduction (p. 278)
• Skills for Building a Theory-Based Nursing Practice (p. 279)
• Integrating Research Outcomes Into Nursing Practice (p. 290)
• What Is Evidence-Based Nursing and How Does It Affect Nursing Practice? (p. 295)
• Summary (p. 296)
• Chapter 11 Interdisciplinary Theory (p. 299)
• Introduction (p. 300)
• Application Of Interdisciplinary Theory (p. 301)
• Observations (p. 323)
• Summary (p. 324)
• Chapter 12 The Future (p. 331)
• Introduction (p. 332)
• Nursing as a Profession (p. 332)
• Nursing as a Discipline (p. 337)
• Nursing as a Science (p. 340)
• Summary (p. 344)
• Appendix A (p. 347)
• Appendix B (p. 355)
• Glossary (p. 357)
• Index (p. 363)