Mary Jane Smith, PhD, RN, FAAN and Patricia R. Liehr, PhD, RN

Year First Published – 2003

Major Concepts

• Middle-Range Theory
• Application in practice and research
• Concept building for research

Brief Description

This user-friendly text stresses how theory informs practice and research in the everyday world of nursing. The book is divided into four sections, 1) setting the stage for middle range theory; 2) middle range theory ready for application; 3) concept building for research – through the lens of middle range theory; 4) current state of middle range theory.  Middle Range Theory for Nursing, Fourth Edition, presents a broad spectrum of 13 middle range theories. Each theory is broken down into its purpose, development, and conceptual underpinnings, and includes a model demonstrating the relationships among the concepts, and the use of the theory in research and practice. Concept building for research, the third section of the book, is a rigorous 10-phase process that moves from a practice story to a conceptual foundation. Four exemplars highlight use of the concept building process. This new edition remains an essential text for advanced practice theory and research courses.

Book Editions

Smith, M. J., & Liehr, P. (2018). Middle Range Theory for Nursing, (4th ed.).New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Smith, M. J., & Liehr, P. (2014). Middle Range Theory for Nursing, (3rd ed.).New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Smith, M. J., & Liehr, P. (2008). Middle Range Theory for Nursing, (2nd ed.).New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Smith, M. J., & Liehr, P. (2003). Middle Range Theory for Nursing,New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Authors

Mary Jane Smith

Dr. Smith is currently Professor at West Virginia University School of Nursing and chair of the Adult Health Department.  She received her PhD from New York University in 1974,  and her MSN (1965) and BSN (1963) from the University of Pittsburgh.  She has held faculty positions at The Ohio State University, Duquesne University, Cornell University,

Patricia R. Liehr

Patricia R. Liehr completed her BSN from Villa Maria College in Erie Pennsylvania, her MSN from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and her PhD from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. She did post-doctoral study as a Robert Wood Johnson scholar at the University of Pennsylvania and held a faculty position at the University of Texas, Health Science Center at Houston. Dr. Liehr joined the Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing as a Professor and Associate Dean for Nursing Research and Scholarship in 2004.