NR 520 EXAM PREP LATEST Applied Theoretical Foundations, Scientific Inquiry & Decision Making COMPLETED for 2026-2027 (5pages)

1. What are the four main types of nursing theories and how are they different from each other? Provide an example of each type. - The four main types of nursing theories are grand theories, middle-range theories, practice theories and micro-range theories. Grand theories are broad and abstract, and provide a general framework for nursing practice. Middle-range theories are more specific and testable, and address a particular phenomenon or concept in nursing. Practice theories are derived from clinical practice and guide the actions of nurses in specific situations. Micro-range theories are very narrow and focus on a single issue or problem in nursing. An example of a grand theory is Orem's self-care deficit theory, which explains how people can maintain their health by meeting their self-care needs. An example of a middle-range theory is Pender's health promotion model, which describes how people can adopt healthy behaviors based on their personal factors and environmental influences. An example of a practice theory is Orlando's nursing process theory, which outlines how nurses can use observation, communication and reflection to meet the needs of patients. An example of a micro-range theory is Peplau's theory of interpersonal relations, which explains how nurses can establish therapeutic relationships with patients based on mutual respect and understanding. 2. What are the steps of the scientific method and why are they important for nursing research? - The steps of the scientific method are: identify a problem or question, review the literature, formulate a hypothesis, design a study, collect data, analyze data, draw conclusions and communicate results. These steps are important for nursing research because they help ensure that the research is systematic, rigorous, valid and reliable. By following the scientific method, nurses can generate new knowledge that can improve the quality and safety of patient care. 3. What are the three main types of research designs and what are their advantages and disadvantages? - The three main types of research designs are quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods. Quantitative research uses numerical data and statistical analysis to test hypotheses and measure variables. Qualitative research uses words and meanings to explore phenomena and understand experiences. Mixed methods research combines both quantitative and qualitative data and methods to answer complex questions and integrate multiple perspectives. The advantages of quantitative research are that it can produce generalizable, objective and precise results that can be replicated and compared. The disadvantages of quantitative research are that it can be costly, time-consuming and rigid, and may not capture the complexity and context of human behavior. The advantages of qualitative research are that it can provide rich, in-depth and holistic insights into phenomena that are difficult to quantify or measure. The disadvantages of qualitative research are that it can be subjective, biased and difficult to generalize or verify. The advantages of mixed methods research are that it can address the limitations of both quantitative and qualitative research by combining their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses. The disadvantages of mixed methods research are that it can be challenging to design, implement and integrate different types of data and methods