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Nursing Theory

Free Web Resources

Both depth and accuracy are highly variable, but the internet can be a good place to find information on nurse theorists and nursing theory. Here are some general sites to get you started.

Database Search Strategies and Concept Analysis

I recommend connecting the term for your concept with any of these search terms using the Boolean operator AND. Also, truncate words using the * symbol to search for variant word endings. Here are some helpful search strategies to try:

Strategy #1: Identify and Name the Concept of Interest (The example below is compassion) 

Strategy #2: Find alternative words for concept analysis (philosophy, theory, definition, concept, religion, anthropology, theory and psychology)

The Truncation symbol was used below to have the databases retrieve more results.

  • compassion AND "concept analysis" OR "concept formation"
  • compassion AND philosoph*
  • compassion AND theor*
  • compassion AND defin*
  • compassion AND concept*
  • compassion AND (religious OR religion* OR theolog*)
  • compassion AND anthropolog*
  • compassion AND theor* AND psycholog*
  • etc.

Adapted from Nursing: Concept Analysis Research Guide created by Maletta Payne
Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College