Classification of Nursing Theories

A. Depending On Function (Polit et al 2001)
  1. Descriptive-to identify the properties and workings of a discipline
  2. Explanatory-to examine how properties relate and thus affect the discipline
  3. Predictive-to calculate relationships between properties and how they occur
  4. Prescriptive -to identify under which conditions relationships occur
B. Depending on the Generalisability of their principles
  1. Metatheory: the theory of theory. Identifies specific phenomena through abstract concepts.
  2. Grand theory: provides a conceptual framework under which the key concepts and
C. Principles of the discipline can be identified.
  1. Middle range theory: is more precise and only analyses a particular situation with a limited number of variables.
  2. Practice theory: explores one particular situation found in nursing. It identifies explicit goals and details how these goals will be achieved.
D. Based on the philosophical underpinnings of the theories
  1. “Needs “theories.
  2. “Interaction” theories.
  3. “Outcome “theories.
  4. Humanistic theories.


Source : currentnursing.com