title: Perception: a concept analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Concept analysis methodology by Walker and Avant (2005) was used to define, describe, and delimit the concept of perception.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nursing literature in the Medline database was searched for definitions of "perception."
  
  
  RESULTS
  Definitions, uses, and defining attributes of perception were identified; model and contrary cases were developed; and antecedents, consequences, and empirical referents were determined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An operational definition for the concept was developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses need to be cognizant of how perceptual differences impact the delivery of nursing care. In research, a mixed methodology approach may yield a richer description of the phenomenon and provide useful information for clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, USA. smcdon1@aol.com
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McDonald
mesh_terms: D009729:Nursing; D015399:Nursing Research; D010465:Perception