- Differentiate the terms concept, conceptual framework, theory, paradigm, and metaparadigm for nursing.
- Identify the purposes of nursing theory in nursing education, research, and clinical practice.
- Identify the components of the metaparadigm for nursing.
- Describe the major purpose of theory in the natural sciences.
- Describe the major purpose of theory in the social sciences and practice disciplines.
- Identify one positive and one negative effect of using theory to understand clinical practice.
