The Theory Approach Linkage - Assignment Example

This defines research variables and the type of data to be collected and analyzed and the relationship that theory informs qualitative research. Developed knowledge from qualitative research findings also adds to existing theory and facilitates the development of new theories in answering qualitative research questions (Indiana, n.d.). This mutual relationship is evident in the articles that I reviewed in my proposed study. The researchers applied existing knowledge to guide their studies to delimit their research scopes and identify variables for consideration and their levels.

Two of the articles relied on general theories while one specified theories that informed its construct. Theory development from qualitative research approach is however common among the reviewed articles (Lorber and Savic, 2011; Su, Jeckins and Liu, 2012; Saccomanno and Zipp, 2011). Saccomano and Zipp’s article is the best example of theory alignment approach because it explicitly identifies a theory and applies the theory in informing the research. It applies the “Path-goal theory” to develop background information on expected relationship between leadership competence and the ability and tendency to delegate and to construct variables for the study (Saccomanno and Zipp, 2011, p. 524). Background information on different leadership styles and their characteristics facilitated the researchers’ construction of research hypotheses and informed research methodology.

The research’s findings add to the existing knowledge in nurse leadership by proposing a theory that confidence in the delegation of duties among nurses is independent of leadership styles (Saccomanno and Zipp, 2011).