雖然有許多合適的技巧來發展及檢驗理論模式，對於以實務為基礎的護理學科而言，因徑分析是用來檢視理論與實證資料相互印證相當實用的一種方法。運用適宜，因果模式可用來補足理論缺乏實據驗證或實證研究缺乏理論基礎的缺憾。因徑分析常被視為是檢驗因果模式之精確性與代表性之一種方法。因徑分析應用於護理研究最早可追溯至1980年代，直到目前為止，已經有許多護理研究者利用因徑分析來處理資料或檢驗理論模式。因徑分析在護理研究的應用有助於辨識變項之間錯綜複雜的關係網路。當護理研究者逐漸投入被雜的理論模式發展階段，利用較高級的資料分析技巧檢驗變項之間錯綜複雜的關係，可更有效地解釋或預測人類行為或反應的特殊現象，並發展適當的護理照護模式。本文將針對因徑分析的假說、因徑分析的步驟(包括:發展一植基於理論的模式、建構一因果相關的因徑圖、決定樣本數的大小、選擇適當的矩陣型式輸入電腦、模式的檢驗與修飾、模式適宜度的評估、結果的解釋)、因徑分析的優點與限制、以及因徑分析在護理的應用等加以說明與討論。

Although many legitimate techniques can be used to develop and test theoretical models, for a practice-oriented nursing discipline, path analysis is a very useful way to examine the on-going interplay between theoretical specification and empirical verification. Ifit is appropriately used, causal modeling can complement both the inadequacies of theories without empirical verification and atheoretical empiricism. Path analysis is considered a precise and representative method of causal modeling for theory testing and generation. The first application of path analysis in nursing research can be traced back to 1980. Until recently, many nurse researchers have begun to use path analysis for data analysis or theoretical model testing. In nursing, path analysis is very useful in distinguishing the complex relationships among variables. As nurse researchers make efforts to develop complex theoretical models, using advanced strategies for data analysis to test the complex relationships among variables can help explain and predict the phenomena of human behaviors and responses and then develop appropriate nursing care models. This article focuses upon presenting and discussing the assumptions of path analysis, the steps of path analysis (including the development of a theory-based model, construction of a path diagram, determination of the sample size, selection of an appropriate matrix for input, model testing and modification, assessment of model fit, and explanation of the results)， the advantages and limitations of path analysis, and the applications of path analysis in nursing.