Nursing and concept analysis

¶ … Traditionally there was no empirical investigations were used in concept analysis but this has changed over time due to the limitations that it had in the methodology of concept analysis. There are several advantages that come with concept analysis and one of them is the fact that it carries meaning that helps people interpret their world hence the development and understanding of theories. It helps in the making out between the connotative and the denotative meaning of concepts. Concept analysis forms the basis for providing operational definition or description of abstract concepts in the process of theory development. The concept analyses are also used to make out the difference between the defining attributes and the irrelevant attributes in the of the concept being looked at. It can also be used in clarifying ambiguous concepts in the process of theory development. Concept analysis can also be used to determine the attributes and characteristics that will be utilized in coming up with the tools of measurement in the process of developing a theory (Botes A, 2014). The concept analysis does not pose any serious disadvantages in a research or development of theory since it aids in the critical thinking and building up of the theory step-by-step and give it a concrete, definite and particulate nature with a focused goal.

Examples of concept analysis

One of the most significant concept analyses is the Wilsonian concept analysis which is used in the healthcare profession to give the accurate and clear concept of a condition. It is most useful in cases where the condition may have more than one interpretation for instance fever. It is divided into 11 step-by-step format which ultimately aims at providing the optimal and evidence-based care to the patients (Thompson H.J., 2008). In the ER, there are acute cases that are referred to this section and unfortunately due to the seriousness of the conditions and the time limit, proper and accurate diagnosis is of essence hence the use of Wilsonian concept analysis approach will help in eliminating the irrelevant factors and highlighting the accurate diagnosis. In the ER a given observable reaction of condition of the patient may have more than one meaning hence the Wilsonian concept analysis is of essence here.