Conceptual analysis methods in nursing: a theoretical reflection

Madureira, Valéria Silvana Faganello; Silva, Denise Maria Guerreiro Vieira da; Trentini, Mercedes; Souza, Sabrina da Silva de

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REFLECTION • Esc. Anna. Nery 25 (2) • 2021 • https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-9465-EAN-2020-0186 copy

Conceptual analysis methods in nursing: a theoretical reflection

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

ABSTRACT

Objective

to reflect on different conceptual analysis methods used in nursing.

Method

The methods were identified with the criteria: level of detail, distinctions with other proposals and use in nursing studies. It was elaborated a chart with eight methods of concept analysis, in synthesizing them, analyzing them and highlighting their central aspects.

Results

Two ‘lines’ of analysis methodologies were identified. The first one is structured, with objective and not very flexible steps. The second, in turn, makes the research path more flexible, which is built/modified in the process.

Conclusion and implication for practice

Conceptual analysis is useful to assess how a concept has been used in nursing, what changes are processed with its use over time, to which situations it applies. The choice for a method depends on the level of development of the concept, reinforcing the proposition that there is a gradation, that is, there are concepts already being widely used by nursing and others that are appearing in the discipline's speeches and texts.

Keywords:
Concept formation; Nursing; Nursing research; Nursing Theory

Author(s)	Description
John Wilson	Proposal to help high school students understand the meaning of words and improve communication, making thinking more structured and objective. Theoretical inspiration not described, but it is inferred influence of the positivist paradigm. Analysis with 11 steps: 1. isolate questions about concepts, differentiating them from facts and values. 2. search for the right answers. 3. model cases. 4. contrary, counterexample. 5. related cases. 6. borderline cases. 7. invented cases. 8. social context. 9. underlying anxiety. 10. practical results. 11. consequences in language.
1963
England
Lorraine O. Walker	Considered as a strategy to examine central attributes of a concept, allowing the clear identification of the phenomenon to which it refers. Analysis with eight steps: 1. Select a concept. 2. Define the objectives of the analysis. 3. identify possible uses of the concept. 4. determine identified defining attributes. 5. build at least one case - model. 6. build additional cases, exemplifying what the concept is NOT (borderline; related; contrary; invented; illegitimate). 7. identify antecedents and consequents. Define empirical references of defining attributes.
Kay C. Avant
1983, 2019
United States
Wilson's adaptation for Nursing.
Beth L. Rodgers	It proposes to elucidate concepts, evaluating their robustness, limitations and introducing variations that broaden their contribution to achieving intellectual objectives. In the analysis, significance, use and application, which progress in a continuous cycle through time and according to the context, are essential, which characterizes the evolutionary conception. It was based on the thought of H.H. Price, Richard Rorty, Stephen Toulmin and the late writings of Ludwig Wittgenstein. Analysis in seven steps: 1. Identify and name the concept of interest. 2. Identify substitute terms and relevant uses of the concept. 3. identify and select a sample for data collection, in nursing or including other disciplines. Identify the attributes of the concept. Identify references, antecedents and consequents. Identify related concepts. 7. identify a model case (real example).
1987, 2000
United States
Evolutionary concept analysis method
Donna Schwartz-Barcott	Aims to refine concepts for theory development. Hybrid because it links theoretical analysis and empirical observation. It indicates inspiration in three areas of knowledge: philosophy of science, sociology of theory construction and participant observation or field research. Theoretical Phase: concept selection, literature search, meaning search and concept measurement instruments, to choose definition to be used in the field phase. Field Work: field selection, field entry negotiation, case selection, data collection and analysis. 3. Analytical Phase: analyzing and weighing the data, writing the findings.
Hesook S. Kim
1986, 2000
United States
Hybrid Model
Anita Nuopponen	It clarifies and describes concepts belonging to a whole, their characteristics and the relationships they maintain within concept systems. Part of the discussion of methods of concept analysis used in business studies and nursing science. Analysis in six steps: 1) Objective, delimitation of the domain and the number of concepts to be treated. 2) Acquisition of domain knowledge and creation of a general idea of the field. 3) Compilation of the material. 4) Elaboration of preliminary conceptual system and/or framework for analysis. 5) Systematic analysis of the material, involving six stages. 6) Additional analysis and conclusions according to the objective of the concept analysis.
1994, 2016
Finland
Systematic concept analysis
He used studies developed in nursing to propose his method
Janice M. Morse	Research process that has in literature the data source to explore the pragmatic utility of the concept. The results promote the advancement of knowledge beyond what is known. Unclear theoretical inspirations. It was based on previous publications of his authorship or co-authorship. It highlights the 'rules of relation' proposed by Bolton (1977) to identify the meaning and maturity of the concept. It adopts guiding principles for analysis: 1) to establish clear purpose of the investigation, with preliminary question to guide the search for literature. Delimit the concept to be explored; identify all terms used, composing a list of search terms and identifying related and opposing concepts, without including alternative meanings. 2) ensure validity, searching the literature for the relevant databases and developing strategies to access the data registration system. 3) identify significant analytical issues, becoming familiar with the literature by reading everything found to refine the search question, which will determine the organization of the data for comparison and subsidize the identification of analytical issues. 4) Synthesize results, preparing the 'scenario' to visualize the whole and compile the results.
2000
United States
Pragmatic Utility of concepts
Afaf I. Meleis	It analyzes well defined concepts in nursing literature to raise the level of understanding, aiming at the development of theories. The concept analysis guides what we see and orders situations and events. It recognizes the pioneering concept analysis of Wilson, Walker and Avant and Rodgers and Knafl. Analysis with six stages: 1) Taking (taking in): dimensioning a situation that calls attention and giving attention to it. 2) Describing the phenomenon. 3) Labeling. 4) Developing the concept. 5) Declaration development. 6) Explanatory assumptions.
1997
United States
Integrated Approach to Concept Development
Janice Penrod	The focus is to integrate what is known about the concept, acting to broaden the understanding of a phenomenon of interest. It identifies gaps and inconsistencies in the understanding of a concept. It is guided by four philosophical principles proposed by Morse (1995) and Hupcey et al. (1996): epistemological; pragmatic; linguistic; logical. It proposes analysis in three stages, emphasizing the need to use the philosophical principles in each methodological stage: 1) Selection of literature. 2) Sampling guided by the concept. 3) Intra and interdisciplinary analysis. The result will be a theoretical definition that integrates the scientific understanding of the phenomenon and recreates the theoretical tapestry of the concept. Gaps and scientific inconsistencies can be identified, increasing the power of analysis for the advancement of nursing science.
Judith E. Hupcey
2005
United States
Principle-based method

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[1] Corresponding author:Valéria Silvana Faganello Madureira E-mail: valeriamadureira2005@hotmail.com