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Lecture 04

This document discusses the relationship between theory and research in science. It defines theory as a coherent set of general propositions used to explain relationships between observed phenomena. The goal of theory is to expand knowledge, discover truth, and enable prediction. Research produces facts, and theory and facts contribute to each other in a dynamic relationship. Theory orients research by providing frameworks and concepts, while research initiates, rejects, clarifies, and refines theory. Together, theory and research advance scientific understanding in a mutually supportive process.

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Maya Gee
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30 views

Lecture 04

This document discusses the relationship between theory and research in science. It defines theory as a coherent set of general propositions used to explain relationships between observed phenomena. The goal of theory is to expand knowledge, discover truth, and enable prediction. Research produces facts, and theory and facts contribute to each other in a dynamic relationship. Theory orients research by providing frameworks and concepts, while research initiates, rejects, clarifies, and refines theory. Together, theory and research advance scientific understanding in a mutually supportive process.

Uploaded by

Maya Gee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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RESEARCH METHODS

Lecture 4
Theory and Research
The purpose of science concerns:

The expansion of knowledge;


The discovery of truth; and
To make prediction.
Theory building is the means by which basic
researchers hope to achieve this purpose.
A scientist poses questions like:

What produces inflation?


Does student teacher interaction influence students’
performance?
Looking for:
Explanation
Prediction
Understanding the process to reach prediction
These are the purposes of theory.
A systematic and A suggested
general attempt to explanation for
explain something… something…

“Theory”
“Why do people
“Why do
commit crimes?
people get
married?”

“How does the


“Why do kids play
media affect us?” truant from school?”

“Why do some people


believe in God?” “How is our identity
shaped by culture?”
Theory
A coherent set of general propositions used as
principles of explanation of the apparent relationships
of certain observed phenomena.
Key element in this definition is proposition.
Proposition
A statement concerned with the logical relationships among
concepts.
Logic (argument) abstracted from observed reality.
Theory is the highest level of abstraction.
Theory is a network of propositions.
Coherent Network of
Propositions Theories

Increasingly more abstract


Concepts with Logical
Relationship Propositions

Generalized Idea Concepts

Observation of
Objects and Events Reality

Given Class
Name (objects, attributes, occurrences, or
processes)
Concept
A generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes,
occurrences, or processes that has been given a name
Building blocks of theory that abstract reality.
Examples:
“leadership,” “productivity,” “morale,”
“motivation,” “inflation,” “happiness,” “banana”
Abstract
Level CONCEPTS

Empirical OBSERVATION OF OBJECTS


Level AND EVENTS (REALITY)
A Ladder Of Abstraction For
Concepts

Increasingly more abstract


Vegetation

Fruit

Banana

Reality
Theory and Research
Research produces facts.
Are facts and theories different?
Soft mental images vs. empirical world
of hard, settled, and observable things.
Theory and fact (research) contribute to
each other.
Role of Theory
Theory as orientation. Framework. Phenomenon may be
studied in different ways. Narrows the range of facts to be
studied. Study of football.
Theory as conceptualization and classification. Provides
concepts.
Theory in summarizing role. Empirical generalizations.
Theory predicts facts. Extrapolation.
Theory points gaps in knowledge.
Role of Facts
Facts initiate theory.
Facts lead to the rejection and reformulation
of theory. Alteration and expansion.
Facts clarify theory. New facts redefine
theory. Provide further clarification.
Theory and Research: The
Dynamic Duo
Theory and research are interrelated. The
dichotomy is artificial.
Researchers weave together knowledge from
different studies into more abstract theory.
RESEARCH METHODS

Lecture 4

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