INTRODUCTION
A theory is a group of related concepts that propose action that guide practice.Theory refers to "a coherent group of general propositions used as principles of explanation"A nursing theory is a set of concepts, definitions, relationships, and assumptions or propositions derived from nursing models or from other disciplines and project a purposive, systematic view of phenomena by designing specific inter-relationships among concepts for the purposes of describing, explaining, predicting, and /or prescribing.Kerlinger - theories as a set of interrelated concepts that give a systematic view of a phenomenon (an observable fact or event) that is explanatory and predictive in nature.Theories are composed of concepts, definitions, models , propositions and are based on assumptions.They are derived through two principal methods:Deductive reasoningInductive reasoning. Nursing theorists use both of these methods.Nursing theories are "attempts to describe or explain the phenomenon (process, occurrence and event) called nursing" - Barnum(1998)Theories are for professional nursing.Theory is "a creative and rigorous structuring of ideas that projects a tentative, purposeful, and systematic view of phenomena"A theory makes it possible to "organize the relationship among the concepts to describe, explain, predict, and control practice"
DEFINITIONS
ConceptsConcepts are basically vehicles of thought that involve images.Concepts are words that describe objects , properties, or events and are basic components of theory.Types of Concepts:Empirical concepts Inferential concepts
Abstract concepts.
