title: Foundational studies in nursing.
abstract: The essential nature of foundational studies in nursing, which are usually called meta-theories or conceptual frameworks, is explored. There are three approaches to this type of study, namely foundationalism, language critique and philosophical analysis. The work of Orem, King and Rogers is briefly analysed as an example of each of these approaches.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D009742:Nursing Theory; D010684:Philosophy; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing