The construction of THEORY
Theories emerge from a PARADIGM - A collection of beliefs shared by scientists, a set of agreements about how
problems are to be understood (Kuhn, 1970).
<A body of shared assumptions, beliefs, methods, and interpretations that constitute a particular vision of reality
(Royce).
<A loose collection of logically held-together assumptions, concepts, or propositions that orient thinking and
research (Bogden & Biklen)
<A theoretical orientation; a systematic set of beliefs, together with accompanying methods (Lincoln & Guba)
A paradigm is composed of various THEORIES that share the more general world view expressed by the paradigm. A
theory can be defined as
<an explanation of facts (Le Francois).
<a general principle that attempts to explain in an organized way the relationships among a number of facts or
conditions (Fond & Resnick).
<a systematic framework of principles based on organized observations of changes in behavior over time (Biehler).
<a tentative explanation of why and under what circumstances certain phenomena occur (Serafino & Armstrong).
<a set of assumptions or system of beliefs that explains what has happened in the past as well as predicts what will
happen in the future (Salkind & Ambron).
<a series of related abstract statements which define and relate phenomena (Miller).
<a set of related general statements used to explain particular facts (Hamilton & Ghatala).
<a scientifically acceptable set of principles offered to explain a phenomenon (Schunk).
=< Theories operate within a paradigmatic framework =<
Theories
<aid in organizing facts and interpreting meaning,
<represent public rather than private knowledge,
<test claims,
<seek patterns of behavior - patterns of behavior are less complex than individual behavior,
<seek generalizability,
<have structural components,
1. Hypotheses - assumptions that can be empirically tested.
2. Problems for study - phenomena to be explained
3. Principles - fundamental core concepts (specificity of meaning creates jargon)
Theory and models.
<Models are analogies drawn from something that is known extended to the unknown—their purpose is to aid
theory building, to mimic, to simplify, to illustrate. There are
1. physical models (the atom, the social system)
2. graphic models (flow charts)
3. linguistic models - metaphors
4. logical models (statistics formulas)
Limitations of theories
1. All theories reflect the paradigmatic view and bias of the researcher.
2. Theories are limited by choice of method and type of study.
3. There is always distortion in theory.
4. Theories provide incomplete explanation of human nature and behavior.
