UPDATE (5/20/26 @ 7:30am AZ time):
The GCU Library's updated version of LopeCat, the library’s online catalog, is live! For more details on what has changed, visit the What's New Guide .
- Grand Canyon University Library
- Research Guides
- Secondary
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Theoretical Frameworks and Models
Doctor of Nursing Practice
InterLibrary Loan (ILL)
If you have the citation information for an article or book but can't find the full text, you can submit an InterLibrary Loan (ILL) request.
Interlibrary loan service is for current students, faculty, and staff. For alumni resources, visit: Alumni Resources
Nursing Theory Books
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Fundamentals of Nursing Models, Theories and Practice 2nd Edition with Wiley E-Text
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ISBN: 9780470657768Publication Date: 2014-06-23 -
Dictionary of Nursing Theory and Research : Fourth Edition
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ISBN: 9780826106650Publication Date: 2010-12-01
Building Your Framework or Model
To develop support for the framework or model you will use as the foundation for your research:
- Keep track of the models or theories used in the empirical research you collect for your literature review.
- Many research method guidebooks in Sage Research Methods will also discuss the theories and frameworks that guide those methods.
- Look for books on theory in your field.
- For example, search "Education Theory" in LopeCat below.
- Examine the models and frameworks of published dissertations.
- Use Google Scholar to locate the original works that founded the theory.
- Understanding, Selecting, and Integrating a Theoretical Framework in Dissertation Research: Creating the Blueprint for Your "House" This link opens in a new windowThe theoretical framework is one of the most important aspects in the research process, yet is often misunderstood by doctoral candidates as they prepare their dissertation research study. The importance of theory-driven thinking and acting is emphasized in relation to the selection of a topic, the development of research questions, the conceptualization of the literature review, the design approach, and the analysis plan for the dissertation study.
- Conceptual Frameworks, Theories, and Models This link opens in a new windowFrom the book Understanding and Evaluating Research in Sage Research Methods.
- Conceptual Framework This link opens in a new windowA definition and overview from the Sage Encyclopedia of Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation.
Searching for Articles on a Theory
Once you have selected a theory, you will need to locate articles about it. CINAHL is the recommended database to begin your search, you can access it through the link below. Instructions for how to best set up a search in CINAHL for a theory are also included below.
- CINAHL Ultimate This link opens in a new windowFull Text
CINAHL Ultimate is the definitive resource for nursing and allied health research, providing full text for more of the most used journals in the CINAHL index than any other database. It covers more than 50 nursing specialties, from ambulatory care and gerontologic nursing to physical therapy and psychiatric nursing. Also included are quick lessons, evidence-based care sheets, CEU modules, and research instruments.
Once you have selected a theory, you are ready to search for scholarly articles about the theory. The Cinahl Ultimate database is the recommended nursing database for scholarly articles.
Use "and" to connect different concepts. For example: Orem and theory
Search using both the name of the theory and the name of the theorist who developed the theory. Type "or" between them to retrieve articles that use either the name of the theorist or the theory. For example: Orem or self care deficit
Use the truncation symbol (an asterisk) to include all of the variations on the end of a word. For example: theor* will retrieve articles that use the keyword theory, theories, and theoretical.
Searching in SAGE Research Methods
- Sage Research Methods This link opens in a new window
Full Text
Sage Research Methods is the essential online resource for anyone doing research or learning how to do research. With more than 800 books, reference works, journal articles, and videos from Sage's world-renowned research methods list, Sage Research Methods provides information on writing a research question, conducting a literature review, choosing a research method, collecting and analyzing data, and writing up the findings. Sage Research Methods' coverage spans the full range of research methods used in science, technology, medicine, and the humanities.
Using Sage Research Methods
You can begin a search for any topic in the main search bar, or use the advanced search.
Narrow down results using the limiters on the right.
- Content type is particularly useful.
- You will need to click the plus signs to see the check boxes to uncheck content types you don't want. Books will tend to be longer and more in depth. The reference sources are great for quick definitions and as sources for DQ questions.
Browse through methods by browsing the Little Green Books (for quantitative methods) or Little Blue Books (for qualitative methods). Just click the links on the home page.
Searching in Google Scholar
- Google Scholar This link opens in a new windowUsing this link to Google Scholar will include the ability to link to full text articles available in GCU library databases. Click “Full Text @ GCU” to access over 46,000 full-text journal titles or click “Find it @ GCU” to view additional options, including requesting via InterLibrary Loan.
Advanced Searches in Google Scholar
- To find the Advanced Scholar Search, click the Menu option located in the upper left corner.
- Click on Advanced Search.
- Searching for a phrase.
- Click the menu in the upper left (the three bars) and choose " Advanced Search".
- Enter the name of the theory or the title of an article in the box for "with the exact phrase."
- This will search for the theory across the full text of articles, as the model or theory will generally not be mentioned in the abstract.
- Take note of articles with high "Cited By" numbers, as these are usually seminal sources for the theory. When you have located the original article for a theory, use the "Cited By" link to locate articles that have used that theory.
- Searching for Authors
- Enter an author's last name in "Return articles authored by" to search for an author's articles.
