Concept Analysis in Nursing: A New Approach

Concept analysis is an established genre of nursing inquiry, but Paley's book questions the philosophical assumptions that underpin it. He argues that there are no concepts as traditionally conceived and provides two examples of a new approach, examining the use of 'hope' and 'moral distress'. The book challenges the assumption that 'hope always stands for an 'inner state of the person' and shows that the words function varies with the grammatical construction it appears in. It also argues that 'moral distress is not the name of a mental state, but a normative classification used to bolster a narrative concerning nursing's identity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Concept analysis is a well-established research genre within nursing, having been introduced in the 1970s. Despite the publication of over 100 concept studies annually, there has been limited scrutiny of the methodologies employed within this field. In his book, Concept Analysis in Nursing: A New Approach, Paley delves into a critical examination of the philosophical foundations underlying nursing concept analysis methods. Paley challenges the traditional notion of concepts, arguing that they do not exist as traditionally conceived.

Drawing upon the works of Wittgenstein and Construction Grammar, Paley advocates for dispensing with the traditional concept of a 'concept.' He then presents two examples of a novel approach, exploring the usage of 'hope' and 'moral distress.' By questioning the assumption that 'hope always signifies an 'inner state of the person, Paley demonstrates that the meanings of words can vary depending on their grammatical construction. Similarly, he argues that 'moral distress' is not a mental state in itself but rather a normative classification employed to support a narrative concerning nursing's identity.

Concept Analysis in Nursing is a thought-provoking and innovative book authored by a philosopher with an interest in nursing. It will appeal to researchers, postgraduate students, and scholars in the fields of nursing, health, philosophy, and linguistics. Those familiar with the author's previous book, Phenomenology as Qualitative Research, will also find this work of interest.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367705947