What is a theory-practice gap? An exploration of the concept

Kathleen Greenway; Graham Butt; Helen Walthall

doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2018.10.005

What is a theory-practice gap? An exploration of the concept

Nurse Educ Pract. 2019 Jan:34:1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2018.10.005. Epub 2018 Oct 13.

Authors

Kathleen Greenway¹, Graham Butt², Helen Walthall³

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Jack Straws Lane Marston, Oxford OX3 0FL, UK. Electronic address: kgreenway@brookes.ac.uk.
² School of Education, Oxford Brookes University, Harcourt Hill, Oxford, OX2 9AT, UK.
³ Faculty of Health & Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Jack Straws Lane Marston, Oxford OX3 0FL, UK.

PMID: 30393025
DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2018.10.005

Abstract

In nursing literature, the phrase 'theory-practice gap' is widely used without common definition or description of its underlying concept. This review paper presents a concept analysis using Rodgers (2000) evolutionary process to define and clarify the concept of the theory-practice gap as part of a doctoral study. In so doing it provides a deeper understanding of the concept to enable its consistent application within nurse education. A theoretical definition is developed, the data search that was undertaken is described and a discussion of the attributes, antecedents and consequences is provided. We conclude by offering, a model case, which is employed to illustrate the concept.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Concept Formation*
Evidence-Based Practice / standards*
Humans
Translational Research, Biomedical / standards*