Purpose of a Concept Analysis
Concept analysis is a useful tool for nurses conducting research or any type of clinical inquiry (think DNP project). The outcome of a concept analysis is a set of defining characteristics that tell the researcher or clinician “what counts” as the concept. The concept analysis allows the researcher or clinician to:
· Formulate a clear, precise theoretical and/or operational definition of the concept.
· Identify measurement instruments or processes that accurately reflect the defining characteristics of the concept.
· Determine if a new instrument or process is needed (if no existing measure adequately reflects the concept's defining characteristics).
· Accurately identify and/or measure the concept when it arises in practice or research.
Directions for the Concept Analysis Paper
The concept analysis paper assignment is a formal, scholarly paper written in APA (7th ed.) format and includes a title page, body of the paper written using headings to separate the main sections of the text, and a reference list. The text (excluding the title page and references) of a typical concept analysis is about 4-6 pages long.
Select a concept to analyze for this paper. The paper should include the following:
· A title that reflects the concept (the title should not be "Concept Analysis Paper")
· An introduction to the concept.
· For example, how is it important to healthcare, nursing practice, the community? The introduction is the "big picture" of the concept.
· A presentation of the various uses of the concept both in and outside of healthcare.
· This should be the longest section of the paper and include citations that help to define and develop your chosen concept.
· You can apply the discussion of your concept from your concept DB for this section of the paper.
· Either in a chart or in the text in narrative form identify the antecedents of the concept.
· Either in a chart or in the text in narrative form identify the defining characteristics of the concept.
· Either in a chart or in the text in narrative form identify the consequences of the concept.
· Describe at least one way the concept could be measured either directly or indirectly.
· Conclude with a description of the implications of the concept for practice.
· Be sure to list the references for all text citations on a reference list written according to APA guidelines (7th ed.).