Spring 2021

NURS 7310-001 Theory Development, Analysis & Evaluation

All students are responsible for checking their UTHSCSA Livemail account regularly (i.e., daily or several times every week) to obtain Official University Communication regarding their courses, program and student status.

COVID-19
Students are expected to follow all policies related to COVID-19 found on the university webpage: https://wp.uthscsa.edu/coronavirus/.

FACULTY CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Carrie Jo Braden; PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor
bradenc@uthscsa.edu
210-567-6808
Office: 2.382
Office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 10 am - 3 pm

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides opportunity to study a system for the development of nursing science through middle-range theory development. Learning activities include engaging in strategies for concept, statement clarification, and theory clarification. Students and faculty will dialog about theory application, theory construction, evaluation, and clinical testing of theory. The relationship between research and clinical practice to theory generation and testing is explored. The student and faculty will gain practice in strategies for middle-range theory building.

CREDIT AND TIME ALLOCATION

Credit Hour Allocation: 3 Semester Credit Hours
Clock Hour Allocation: 3 Clock Hours Class (45 hours class)

PREREQUISITES

• Masters level theory/research

• NURS 7325 Philosophy of Nursing Science

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Upon completion of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Program students will:

1. Advance the discipline of nursing through the generation of new knowledge and theory.
2. Demonstrate excellence as a clinical researcher in the health sciences in a focal area of nursing.
3. Synthesize theories from natural and/or behavioral sciences for application to a specified area of nursing.
4. Advance evidence-based clinical practice.
5. Assume nurse scientist roles within academic health centers and other health centers and other interdisciplinary health sciences and educational institutions.
6. Evaluate the value and knowlege components of philosophical and ethical dimensions of issues confronting healthcare and nursing.

COURSE OUTCOMES

1. Appraise role of belief/values in identification and framing of clinical  phenomena of interest selected for scholarly practice focus.
2. Determine the various levels of theory as they contribute to practice knowledge.
3. Assess the utility of various approaches to theory development as contributors to interventions and strategies that address clinical phenomena.
4. Formulate clarity of concepts of interest specified within conceptual/theoretical explanations of clinical phenomena.
5. Formulate clarity of relational/predictive statements that connect concepts of interest specified within conceptual/theoretical explanations of clinical phenomena.
6. Evaluate the merits of selected conceptual/theoretical explanations of clinical phenomena.

CLINICAL OUTCOMES

N/A

GRADING SCALE FOR GRADUATE COURSES

A = 4 points (90-100)
B = 3 points (80-89)
C = 2 points (75-79)
D = 1 point (66-74)
F = 0 points (65 or below)

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION / GRADES

80% Final Paper
10% Student Co-Led Presentations
10% Class Participation

CLASSROOM ATTENDANCE

Attendance in class is an expectation of each student.

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS

1. If written assignments are made in a course they are required.
2. Students are expected to submit written work on the scheduled date and time.
3. The student must notify the course coordinator prior to the scheduled due date and time if they are unable to submit the written work as scheduled. Failure to make this notification in advance will result in a "zero" for that written work.
4. If the excuse is accepted as reasonable and necessary, arrangements will be made for an alternative due date and time.
5. Each student is responsible for making sure that he or she has completed the written work prior to submission.
6. Late work will be accepted with consequences as outlined per course syllabi.

APA GUIDELINES

The APA Publication Manual 7th edition is required for use in all nursing school programs. 

SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY

Students are expected to be above reproach in all scholastic activities. Students who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and dismissal from the university. "Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, and submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts." Regents Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, Subdivision 3.22.

PROFESSIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT

Students who are nurses or are preparing to enter the profession of nursing are expected to treat others with respect and compassion. “The principle of respect for persons extends to all individuals with whom the nurse interacts. The nurse maintains compassionate and caring relationships with colleagues and others with a commitment to the fair treatment of individuals, to integrity-preserving compromise and to resolving conflict. This standard of conduct precludes any and all prejudicial actions, any form of harassment or threatening behavior, or disregard for the effects of one’s actions on others” (American Nurses Association Code for Nurses, Interpretive Statement 1.5).

The students, faculty, Department Chairs, Associate Deans, and the Dean of the School of Nursing of the University Texas Health Science Center San Antonio subscribe to the highest standards of conduct. Our aim is professional behavior beyond reproach. Failure to abide by the signed code of professional conduct may lead to suspension and/or permanent dismissal from the UTHSCSA SON. In particular, we subscribe to the provisions of the Code of Ethics for Nurses (http://bit.ly/1mtD5p2) and the following points of conduct.

http://catalog.uthscsa.edu/schoolofnursing/policiesandprocedures/

School of Nursing Netiquette Guidelines for Online Interaction

Netiquette guidelines provide information for behaving properly online, when using email, tweets or texts so that you may successfully communicate your thoughts in a manner that is respectful and avoids misunderstandings with others.

• Be courteous about what you say to or about others in any electronic format. In electronic communication the golden rule is "Remember the Human." Remember there is a real person with real feelings on the receiving end of your email or post.
• Be respectful and open to opinions and ideas that differ from yours. The exchange of diverse thoughts, ideas and opinions are an important part of the scholarly environment. Keep in mind that the people in your classes may come from different backgrounds and have views that may vary significantly from your own.
• Flaming (defined as posting of messages that are deliberately hostile and insulting in an online social context) is never appropriate. While everyone (learners and instructors alike) is encouraged to share ideas and opinions openly, you should never use insults or resort to name-calling even if you disagree strongly with what someone else has written.
• When responding to messages or posts made by others, address the ideas, not the person.
• It’s often best to avoid using sarcasm and humor online. Without social cues, such as facial expressions and body language, a remark meant as humorous could come across hurtful or offensive. Keep in mind that ‘emoticons’ (such as J) may not convey your tone or intent.
• Capitalizing whole words is generally seen as SHOUTING and is difficult for most people to read. Use all capital letters sparingly, such as to highlight an important word or point.
• Think and reread what you’ve written before you post! Make sure that what you’ve written makes sense (is clear and to the point).
• Remember you are responsible for the content you communicate on CANVAS. What you write represents you, so use appropriate language. Remember that all writing should be professional, consisting of complete sentences, and free of grammatical and spelling errors.
• Be aware that distributing copyrighted materials, such as articles and images, is illegal. Most of the materials on the Internet are copyrighted. The only time it’s ok to distribute materials from the Internet is when you are sure those materials are "fair use." To be safe, if you want to share materials with classmates and/or your instructor, share the web link or URL only.
• To avoid plagiarism, make sure you properly cite all source materials. All materials should be cited unless you are the author of the content.
• Protect your privileges in online communication (avoid posting spam or emailing chain letters).

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS

Any student seeking reasonable accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact either the Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Services within the first week of the semester or schedule a meeting with the UTHSCSA ADA Compliance Office so that appropriate accommodations may be arranged. A request for accommodations (Form ADA-100: http://uthscsa.edu/eeo/form100-Faculty-student-resident.pdf) must be completed and submitted to the Executive Director of the ADA Compliance Office before accommodations can be provided. Additional information can be provided in the Student Success Center, Room 1.118 or through the ADA Compliance Office website: http://uthscsa.edu/eeo/request.asp.

REQUIRED TEXT / REFERENCE

Reed, P. & Shearer, N.C. (2018). Nursing knowledge and theory innovation: Advancing the science of practice (2nd ed). New York, NY: Springer Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-8261-4992-3

Walker, L.O. & Avant, K C (2010). Strategies for theory construction in nursing (5th ed). Upper Saddle River, NM: Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN-13: 978-0132156882

RECOMMENDED (OPTIONAL) TEXT / REFERENCE

Onwuegbuzie A. J. & Trels R (2016). 7 steps to a comprehensive literature review: A multimodal & cultural approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN-13: 978-1446248928

Swanson, R.A. & Chermack, T.J. (2013.) Theory building in applied disciplines (1st Ed). San Francisco, CA: Barrett-Koehler Publications. ISBN-13: 978-1609947132

CONTENT OUTLINE

N/A

CALENDAR - 1st Day Only

Please check the schedule for recent updates on Class Dates & Room.

The Spring term begins on January 11, 2021. For full calendar and course details, please refer to information on Canvas.