Using the criteria presented in BELOW ARTICUL, critique the theory of Self-Efficacy using the internal and external criticism evaluation process.

A theory is a collection of ideas or hypotheses that attempt to explain an event by elaborating on ideas and hypotheses, outlining relationships between perceptions, and extrapolating hypothetical future events based on unrelated underlying premises. A nursing theory, a knowledge-based organized thought, establishes the boundaries of nursing practice (Smith et al., 2022). The nursing scope covers nursing, nurse duties, and the objectives of the various duties. Middle-range theories are a collection of particular notions and ideas based on reality. The theories are created and confirmed by research, after which they are applied to support practical actions like assessment and intervention (Smith et al., 2022).

External analysis reveals that explanations and in-depth descriptions are not required to comprehend the theories. Applications of these theories enable a simple understanding of hypotheses and give subject areas definite, unambiguous bounds and parameters. Particularly in nursing, the underlying assumptions and theories closely match reality (Risjord, 2019). Based on this precept, it is crucial to encourage innovative nursing education methods by employing tools like theory evaluation, reflective practice, and literature reviews for support.

Internal criticism of a middle-range theory focuses mostly on its internal coherence and logical consistency. The theory’s concepts, suppositions, and premises must be carefully examined. When undertaking internal criticism, researchers examine the theory’s logical coherence, contradictions or ambiguities, and other factors (Brando, 2019). This method makes the theory better and more understandable, ensuring it makes sense and can withstand scrutiny within the context. A successful middle-range theory must generate falsifiable hypotheses and predictions to enable researchers to evaluate the theory’s suitability for these tasks.

Evaluating middle-range theories is crucial for growing the nursing industry since they link nursing practice and research. Grand theories have a greater reach than middle-range theories, which are more narrowly focused, practical, and applicable. Middle-range theories are efficiently evaluated through both internal and external critique. Internal critique includes a critical evaluation of a theory’s internal coherence. External critique examines how a theory connects to pertinent aspects of the real world, such as health, nursing practice, and personal experiences (Brando, 2019). Although these methods have various foci, each one must be considered when evaluating middle-range ideas. A thorough study ensures that the theory is both relevant to the nursing profession and healthcare and logically sound within its context.

In conclusion, it is found that middle-range theories’ importance depends on how well they respond to internal and external criticism. Examining social phenomena benefits from a method that fully satisfies the requirements for offering a testable research hypothesis (Brandão, 2019). Middle-ground theories strengthen the connection between theory and evidence, so they do not function independently. In light of this, they fall short of all the requirements for a successful theory.

References

Brandão, M. A. G., Barros, A. L. B. L. D., Caniçali, C., Bispo, G. S., & Lopes, R. O. P. (2019). Nursing theories in the conceptual expansion of good practices in nursing. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 72, 577-581. https://www.scielo.br/j/reben/a/3brMKjSs5RzRq8Hf9JNy4Cn/?lang=en

Risjord, M. (2019). Middle‐range theories as models: New criteria for analysis and evaluation. Nursing Philosophy, 20(1), e12225. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/nup.12225

Smith, M. J., Liehr, P. R., & Carpenter, R. D. (Eds.). (2023). Middle range theory for nursing. Springer Publishing Company. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=QvN8EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=evaluate+middle+range+theories+in+nursing&ots=gNPZmDREJy&sig=bXKW1XQu-ZOJGArDKgVyKf8Urtg