Chapter 1 Evolution of nursing education and theory Key terms Autonomy Being self-directed and taking initiative instead of waiting for direction from others; ethical principle that refers to the individual’s right to choose for oneself and the ability to act on that choice. Concept The basic building block of a theory. Discipline Field of study. Existentialism A movement that is centred on individual existence in an incomprehensible world, driven by free will and our search for meaning. Grand theory Concepts that represent global and extremely complex phenomena. Metaparadigm The unifying force that names the phenomena of concern to each discipline. Micro-range theory A concrete and narrow theory that establishes guidelines and frameworks for specific practices. Middle-range theory Theory that addresses more concrete and more narrowly defined phenomena than a grand theory but does not cover the full range of phenomena of concern to a discipline. Multidimensionally Acting based on the belief that we live at many realms of the universe all at once. Nursing research Systematic application of formalised methods for generating valid and dependable information about the phenomena of concern to the discipline of nursing. Nursing theory Provides a perspective from which to define the ‘what’ of nursing, to describe the ‘who’ of nursing and when nursing care is needed, and to identify