Grounded theory,feminist theory,critical theory: toward theoretical triangulation

Nursing and social science scholars have examined the compatibility between feminist and grounded theory traditions in scientific knowledge generation, concluding that they are complementary, yet not without certain tensions. This line of inquiry is extended to propose a critical feminist grounded theory methodology. The construction of symbolic interactionist, feminist, and critical feminist variants of grounded theory methodology is examined in terms of the presuppositions of each tradition and their interplay as a process of theoretical triangulation.     

A theory of dependent-care: a corollary theory to Orem's theory of self-care

Dependent-care has its origins in people's requirements for regulatory care. The foundations for dependent-care are found in the ability of individuals to provide their required care. First introduced as a corollary to self-care, this work emerged through a process of reading and discussion. Models that support the theory of dependent-care are identified. Premises are stated. There is elaboration of the conceptualizations representing the work that has been done. There are still elements that need further development, such as specifying the enabling abilities of dependent-care agency and verifying and formalizing the various elements presented.     

Co-creation theory

The Design Council is working with healthcare staff and users to reconfigure services for the 21st century. This 'co-creation approach' has focused on diabetes and motivating older people to stay healthy.     

Measurement theory

The usefulness and truthfulness of assessments, whether performed in the clinic on one patient or in the research laboratory on many subjects, depends on valid measurements. Measurement theory is the thought process and interrelated body of knowledge that form the basis of valid measurements. Translation of measurement theory to behaviors helps to ensure the integrity and relevancy of tests and the data that result from them. In the final analysis, useful and truthful data depend for their existence on scalable and detectable events being translated into pertinent, valid, and reliable measurements. The rules by which numbers are assigned to events form the basis of measurements theory.     

Attachment theory

Maternal-infant attachment theory is another example of a theory borrowed from one discipline and adapted to another. Ethological observations of species-specific behavior exhibited by animals at the time of birth generated the hypothesis that perhaps humans also had species-specific behaviors which could have lasting effects on the relationship between mother and baby. While one cannot generalize the attachment theory, it has opened the way for a more humanistic approach to birthing.     

Modular headache theory

Many people experience headaches that do not fulfil the International Headache Society's criteria for a specific headache disorder yet behave biologically like that disorder. Others fulfil criteria for one headache disorder and yet have features of another disorder. To explain these observations, we propose that groups of neurones called modules become activated to produce each symptom of a primary headache disorder, and that each module is linked to other modules that together produce an individual's headache. This theory has implications for the classification, research and treatment of primary and secondary headache patients.