Literature Search Theory Flashcards
Theory Defintion
Body of interrelated concepts and constructs that presents a rational systematic view of phenomena (in a tentative manner).
Concept vs Construct
- Concept: Classify phenomena and observations; Directly observable or measureable
- Ex: Type of Injuries, Number of Injuries, etc.
- Construct: Abstract variable; NOT directly obeservable or measureable.
- Ex: Balance
In order to evaluate a construct you need…
an operational defintiion
Define and develop and operational definition
clear way to describe the variable we are measuring
How to meaure balance?
Easy: Count how many adjustments of arms or legs they make
Harder: Put person on force plate to see pertibations
What are the three purposes of theory?
- Describe/Summarize
- Predict
- Explain
Purpose of Theory: Describe
Illustrate or characterize phenomena
- Ex: Females have an increased Q angle than men.
Purpose of Theory: Predict
Anticipating relationships between concepts
- Ex: Females have greater Q angle resulting in an increase in injury risk then men.
Purpose of Theory: Explain
Specify relationships and form a deductive system
- If x then y
- Ex: If Females have greater Q angles resulting in increased risk of injury then men THEN females with a greater Q angle must demonstrate and increase in instability while running then men.
What are the 3 characteristics of a theory
- Testable
- Economical
- Tentative
Testable
Theory is not testable BUT a hypothesis is! Results supporting a hypothesis support a theory but do not probe a theory.
Economical
The same theory should apply to a wide variety of situations:
*Good theories are the most efficient explanation of the phenomenon
*Simple explanations are more likely to provide meaningful direction to clinical practice than complex ones
*Unfortunately, often simple explanations are not often supported by the medical literature
Tentative
Theories are not absolute
Represent the present state of knowledge
Describe an example of how theory is used in PT practice and why it is useful
Concept vs exact knowledge is more important for clinical application. Doesn’t apply to everything we do.
*Gate theory of pain
*If I stimulate those afferents that do not carry pain, my patient will not feel pain from their injury.
If application of theory in PT practice doesn’t work, why could that be?
If the expected outcome is not achieved, we must question the:
* Accuracy: theory serving as the basis of intervention was incorrect
* Application: theory may be correct, but the circumstances or conditions where it was applied were inappropriate
* Implementation of treatment: theory may be correct, the circumstances were appropriate, but the intervention given was not provided correctly
Describe the interaction between research and clinical practice
- Both clinical practice and research have an influence on theory and are influenced by theory
- In clinical practice, theory utilization informs the decisions and actions that theory suggests are appropriate
- In research, experimentation is used to test propositions based on theory
