Concept Analysis Guidelines and Rubric
This assignment provides the opportunity for the student to complete an analysis of a concept supported by a nursing theory using an identified process. The assignment fosters analytical thinking related to the selected concept as well as application within the profession.
Description of the Assignment
This assignment presents a modified method for conducting a concept analysis of ONE concept that is important and useful to nursing. The concept for this assignment must be supported by a published nursing theory. The selected concept is identified and then the elements of the analysis process are applied in order to synthesize knowledge for application as demonstrated through the creation of model, borderline, and contrary cases. Theoretical applications of the concept are also discussed. Non-nursing theories may NOT be used. The paper concludes with a synthesis of the student’s new knowledge about the concept. The scholarly literature is incorporated throughout the analysis.
Only the elements identified in this assignment should be used for this concept analysis.
Criteria for Content
- Introduction
The introduction substantively presents all the following elements:
- Identifies the role of concept analysis within theory development.
- Identifies the selected nursing
Chosen Concept: Caring
- Identifies the nursing theory that addresses the selected concept.
- Names the sections of the paper.
- Scholarly support is required.
- Definition/Explanation of the selected nursing concept
This section includes:
- Defines/explains the concept using scholarly literature (a dictionary maybe used for this section ONLY, and additional scholarly nursing references are required).
- A substantive discussion of this section with support from nursing literature is required.
- Literature review
This section requires:
- A substantive discussion of at least 6 (six) scholarly nursing literature sources on the selected concept.
- Themes, ideas, and/or facts about the concept found in the reviewed sources are presented in an organized fashion.
- Support from nursing literature is required.
Please Note: Primary research articles about the selected nursing concept are the most useful resource for the literature review.
- Defining attributes
For this section:
- A minimum of THREE (3) attributes are required.
- A substantive discussion of this section with support from nursing literature is required
Explanation: An attribute identifies characteristics of a concept. For this situation, the characteristics of the selected nursing concept are identified and discussed.
- Antecedent and Consequence
This section requires the identification of:
- 1 antecedent of the selected nursing concept.
- 1 consequence of the selected nursing concept.
- A substantive discussion of the element with support from nursing literature is required.
Explanation: An antecedent is an identifiable occurrence that precedes an event. In this situation, an antecedent precedes a selected nursing concept. A consequence follows or is the result of an event. In this situation a consequence follows or is the result of the selected nursing concept.
- Empirical Referents
This section requires the identification of:
- 2 (two) empirical referents of the selected nursing concept.
- A substantive discussion of the element with support from nursing literature is required.
Explanation: An empirical referent is an objective ways to measure or determine the presence of the selected nursing concept.
- Construct Cases
Explanation: hypothetical or real-life situations demonstrating the use or absence of the concept.
This section requires the creation of a model case, borderline case, and contrary case.
- 1 Model Case is created by the student and discussed substantively by demonstrating within the case each of the following areas:
- Definition
- All identified attributes
Explanation: A model case is an example of a hypothetical or real-life situation that demonstrates all of the attributes noted previously in this assignment.
- 1 Borderline Case is created by the student in which one or two of the previously identified attributes are missing.
- 1 Contrary Case is created by the student that demonstrates the opposite of the selected nursing concepts. All identified attributes of the concept are absent in this case.
Explanation: Borderline case is a created case where one or two of the previously identified attributes are missing. Contrary case is a created case that demonstrate the complete opposite of the selected nursing concept – all identified attributes are missing.
- Theoretical Applications of the Concept
- Discuss the purpose of a concept analysis in relationship to theory.
- Explain how the concept applies to the selected nursing theory.
- A substantive discussion of the element with support from nursing literature is required.
- Conclusion
This section requires:
- Summarization of key information regarding:
- Selected nursing concept.
- Selected nursing theory.
- Application of concept analysis findings to advanced practice nursing (specific to selected specialty track professional role and/or area of practice).
- The concluding statements include self-reflection on the new knowledge gained from conducting a concept analysis. (Self-reflection may be written in first-person.)
Preparing the Assignment
Criteria for Format and Special Instructions
- The paper (excluding the title page and reference page) should be 8 pages. Points will be lost for not meeting these length requirements.
- Title page, running head, body of paper, and reference page must follow APA guidelines as found in the 6th edition of the manual. This includes the use of headings for each section of the paper except for the introduction where no heading is used.
- The source of the concept for this assignment must be a published nursing Non-nursing theories may NOT be used.
- A minimum of 6 (six) scholarly references must be used. A dictionary maybe used as a reference for the section titled “Definition/Explanation of the selected nursing concept”, but it is NOT counted as one of the 6 required scholarly nursing references. Be aware that information from .com websites may be incorrect and should be avoided.
- References are current – within a 5-year time frame unless a valid rationale is provided and the instructor has approved them.
- Ideas and information from scholarly, peer reviewed, nursing sources must be cited and referenced correctly.
- Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are followed and consistent with formal, scientific writing.
- PLEASE note: Do not rely on .com sites to identify the nursing theory as they do not provide accurate information in all cases.
Directions and Assignment Criteria
| Assignment Criteria | Points | % | Description |
| Introduction | 10 | 4 | The introduction substantively presents all the following elements: · Identifies the role of concept analysis within theory development. · Identifies the selected nursing concept. · Identifies the nursing theory that addresses the selected concept. · Names the sections of the paper. · Scholarly support is required. |
| Definition/Explanation of Selected Concept | 25 | 10 | This section includes: · Defines/explains the concept using scholarly literature (a dictionary maybe used for this section ONLY, and additional scholarly nursing references are required). · A substantive discussion of this section with support from nursing literature is required. |
| Literature Review | 35 | 14 | This section requires: · A substantive discussion of at least 6 (six) scholarly nursing literature sources on the selected concept. · Themes, ideas, and/or facts about the concept found in the reviewed sources are presented in an organized fashion. · Support from nursing literature is required. |
| Defining Attributes | 25 | 10 | For this section: · A minimum of THREE (3) attributes are required. · A substantive discussion of this section with support from nursing literature is required |
| Antecedent & Consequence | 25 | 10 | This section requires the identification of: · 1 antecedent of the selected nursing concept. · 1 consequence of the selected nursing concept. · A substantive discussion of the element with support from nursing literature is required. |
| Empirical Referents | 20 | 8 | This section requires the identification of: · 2 (two) empirical referents of the selected nursing concept. · A substantive discussion of the element with support from nursing literature is required. |
| Construct Cases | 30 | 12 | This section requires: · 1 Model Case is created by the student and discussed substantively by demonstrating within the case each of the following areas: o Definition o All identified attributes · 1 Borderline Case is created by the student in which one or two of the previously identified attributes are missing. · 1 Contrary Case is created by the student that demonstrates the opposite of the selected nursing concepts. All identified attributes of the concept are absent in this case. |
| Theoretical Applications of the Concept | 30 | 12 | This section requires: · Discussion of the purpose of a concept analysis in relationship to theory. · Explanation on how the concept applies to the selected nursing theory. · A substantive discussion of the element with support from nursing literature is required. |
| Conclusion
| 10 | 4 | This section requires: · Summarization of key information regarding: · Selected nursing concept. · Selected nursing theory. · Application of concept analysis findings to advanced practice nursing (specific to selected specialty track professional role and/or area of practice). · The concluding statements include self-reflection on the new knowledge gained from conducting a concept analysis. (Self-reflection may be written in first-person.) |
| Paper Specifications | 20 | 8 | A nursing theory was used.
The source of the concept for this assignment was a published nursing theory. Non-nursing theories may NOT be used. Paper meets length requirements of 8 pages
Minimum of 6 scholarly nursing references A dictionary (except for Definition section), required textbooks for this course and Chamberlain College of Nursing lesson information, may NOT be used as scholarly references for this assignment.
References are current – within a 5-year time frame unless a valid rationale is provided and the instructor has approved them. |
| APA Format (6th edition) | 10 | 4 | Title page, running head, body of paper, and reference page must follow APA guidelines as found in the 6th edition of the manual. This includes the use of headings for each section of the paper except for the introduction where no heading is used. One deduction for each type of APA style error |
| Citations in Text | 5 | 2 | Ideas and information that come from readings must be cited and referenced correctly. |
| Writing Mechanics | 5 | 2 | Rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, and punctuation are followed and consistent with formal written work as found in the 6th edition of the APA manual. |
| Total | 250 | 100 % | A quality assignment will meet or exceed all of the above requirements. |
