Chapter Questions
A number of sources were proposed to drive theory development. Critically consider which of these sources could promote or constrain the generation of ideas that could be evolved into theories.
What aspects of your own education prepared you for theoretical thinking? Why? Similarly, as you think back on your experiences, which experiences, educational or clinical, helped or hindered in forming your identity as a theoretician?
Discuss the dialectic relationship between sources of theory and the agents in theory development.
In this chapter, two historical paradoxes were discussed that have shaped our more contemporary thinking on theory. Identify and critically analyze other paradoxes that will shape the future of theory development.
In what ways will the move toward outcomes-based nursing or evidence-based nursing advance or constrain nursing theory development? Give examples to support your arguments to defend them.
Allocate time and find colleagues who think differently about the answers to previous questions and debate your positions.