Part I: Overview
The purpose of this paper is two-fold: First, the development of this paper will challenge your thinking and help you deepen your critical-thinking skills to include deconstructionist thinking, creative thinking, and critical evaluation of research and theoretical evidence. Second, you will gain an understanding of and appreciation for the necessity of precision in our professional language as it applies to our theory, research, and practice.
You may use the method of concept analysis developed by Walker and Avant (1995) or any additional literature resources to deconstruct an abstract concept and arrive at a fresh and precise definition of the concept. All steps of the process should be followed.
After a concept of relevance to nursing practice is chosen, the paper should include background and rationale for the choice of the concept. In this section of the paper, you should be clear on the purpose of your paper, including context in which you use the concept and for which you will analyze the theory, e.g., the area of practice, age group of patients, etc.
The analysis of the concept will start with a literature review through which you determine the current uses of and definition of the concept. The literature review should include a minimum of 5 sources and should include uses of the concept by other disciplines. Published concept analyses of the concept may be included.
You will analyze current uses of the concept and arrive at the core defining attributes of the concept. This should be a precise list of defining attributes as the concept applies to your purpose and context. Briefly describe your rationale for the selection of these attributes. End this section with a definition of the concept using the core attributes.
Part II: Empirical Referents
Next, you will discuss any ways that have been developed to measure this concept (empiric referents) and/or your ideas on observations, assessments, or measurements that could determine the presence or absence of the concept. It will not always be possible to identify exact measurement methods, but this should be addressed at least in terms of what should be done to develop ways of measuring (empirical referents) for the concept.
From the list of core defining attributes, you will use your creative thinking to develop cases that further clarify the use of the core attributes and application of the concept definition. These are little stories that demonstrate the presence or absence of the core defining attributes of the concept. You are required to develop a model case, a contrary case, and a related case.
Part III: Analysis of Antecedents and Consequences
The next section of the paper is your analysis of antecedents and consequences. Discuss what must happen preceding the concept—what causes the concept, and what must be in place prior to the manifestation of the concept. Discuss the consequences of the concept. What follows the concept? There may be perceived negative or positive consequences. Antecedents and consequences may be cited from the literature and/or may be your own thinking.
Part IV: Summary
Finally, provide a summary of your paper. Include the relevance of this concept to nursing and how this concept should be used and/or further developed.
APA Format Reminders
This paper should be in APA format and include a title page, abstract, and reference page. All references should be properly cited in the body of the paper and quoted material properly defined with quotation marks and page numbers in the citation. The paper should be well organized, with careful attention to sentence structure, paragraph construction, grammar, and spelling. It is expected that these papers will be an average of 8–10 pages in length.
