Grounded Theory Review: An International Journal (Dec 2021)
The Practical Use of Awareness Theory
Abstract
In this chapter we shall discuss how our substantive sociological theory has been developed in order to facilitate applying it in daily situations of terminal care by sociologists, by doctors and nurses, and by family members and dying patients. The application of substantive sociological theory to practice requires developing a theory with (at least) four highly interrelated properties. The first requisite property is that the theory must closely fit the substantive area in which it will be used. Second, it must be readily understandable by lay persons concerned with this area. Third, it must be sufficiently general to be applicable to a multitude of diverse, daily situations within the substantive area, not just to a specific type of situation. Fourth, it must allow the user partial control over the structure and process of the substantive area as it changes through time. We shall discuss each of these closely related properties and briefly illustrate them . . . to show how our theory incorporates them, and therefore why and how our theory can be applied in terminal care situations.[1]
