Theory meaning and elements

Theory: Meaning and elements, Importance of theory, Development of theories, Theory development process, Functions of a Theory, Evaluation of a Theory, Concepts, Abstraction, Propositions, Hypotheses

1. Theory: Meaning and elements AEX 606 Theory constructions in social sciences (2+0) By V.Mohanraj , Ph.D. Scholar, TNAU

2. Theory-Meaning: Theories are nets cast to catch what we call “the world”: to rationalize, to explain, and to master it. We endeavor to make the mesh ever finer and finer. -- Karl R. Popper

3. A theory: ‘a set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of the phenomenon by specifying relationships among variables with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomenon’A theory includes propositions linking concepts in the form of hypotheses to be tested.

4. Definition from Schutt : A logically interrelated set of propositions about empirical reality. These propositions are comprised of : 1 . Definitions: Sentences introducing terms that refer to the basic concepts of the theory 2 . Functional relationships: Sentences that relate the basic concepts to each other . Within these we have – a. Assumptions or axioms – b. Deductions or hypotheses 3 . Operational definitions: Sentences that relate some theoretical statement to a set of possible observations

5. A coherent set of general propositions used as principles of explanation of the apparent relationships of certain observed phenomena . Two Purposes Of Theory • Prediction • Understanding

6. What makes a good theory? • Validity: It fits the facts • Generalization: Makes predictions about future or other events • Replication: It can be repeated with similar findings. Theories must be : Objective , Verifiable (i.e. within the accepted margins of error), Falsifiable / disprovable Good theories must understand, explain and predict

7. Why theory is important Theory provides concepts to name what we observe and to explain relationships between concepts. Theory allows us to explain what we see and to figure out how to bring about change. Theory is a tool that enables us to identify a problem and to plan a means for altering the situation.

8. Theory is to justify reimbursement to get funding and support - need to explain what is being done and demonstrate that it works - theory and research. Theory is to enhance the growth of the professional area to identify a body of knowledge with theories from both within and with out the area of distance learning . That body of knowledge grows with theory and research. Theory guides research .

9. Development of theories Theory is constantly revised as new knowledge is discovered through research. 1 )  Speculative  - attempts to explain what is happening. 2)  Descriptive  - gathers descriptive data to describe what is really happening . 3 )  Constructive  - revises old theories and develops new ones based on continuing research.

10. Theory development process 1 )  Theory-practice-theory  take existing theory in education, apply to distance learning, develop new theory.

11. 2)  Practice-research-theory  see what is happening in distance learning, submit to research, develop theory from results. 3)  Theory-theory-research/practice  build on an initial theory to develop a second theory, then apply and test it.

12. Functions of a Theory Descriptive function: using the constructs or concepts and their relationships so as to provide the best explanation of a given phenomenon and the forces underlying it . Delimiting function: selecting the favorite set of events to be explained and assigning a meaning to the formulated abstractions of the descriptive stage.

13. Generative Function: the ability to generate testable hypotheses or to provide hunches, notions, and ideas from which hypotheses could be developed . Integrative Function: the ability to present a coherent and consistent integration of the various concepts and relations of a theory.

14. Evaluation of a Theory A theory is evaluated to prove the adequacy of what it proposes . Criteria suggested by researchers include internal consistency, logical form, comparison with other theories, empirical testing, verifiability, predictivity , consistency, reliability, accuracy, generality, utility, importancy , multipliability , univocality , controllability, standardizability , synergy, parsimony, simplicity, stability, recurrency , translatability, durability, acquaintancy , popularity, efficacy, and density.

15. Criteria can be systematically related set of statements, lawlike generalizations and empirically testable.Criteria can be well- foundedness , internal consistency, independence, strength, linguistic exactness, conceptual unity, empirical interpretability, representativeness, falsifiability, methodological simplicity, confirmation, originality, external consistency, unifying power, heuristic power, and stability.

16. Elements of a theory include: Concepts : the main units of a theory and it is devised to refer to identifiable characteristics or phenomena.: The better the concept, the better the theory.: A formation of concept starts from the idea or percept generating a concept designated by terms.

17. Concept (or Construct) • A generalized idea about a class of objects, attributes, occurrences, or processes that has been given a name • Building blocks that abstract reality ….. • In management we often use concepts or constructs as variables Examples : Leadership, Productivity, Morale, Gross National Product, Asset, Inflation, Social Responsibility, GNP, Agency, Honesty, Efficiency.

18. Abstraction : Concepts abstract reality – Concepts are expressed in words that refer to various events or objects – Concepts vary in degree of abstraction. Research operates at abstract and empirical level linking concepts together as we begin the journey to construct theory .

19. Propositions: establish relation between the concepts of a theory.: designated by a sentence.: characterized by 1) the number and degree of predicates; and 2) the degree of generality. Propositions • Concepts are the basic building blocks • Propositions propose the linkages between these concepts theory propositions concepts Level of abstraction

20. Two kinds of propositions used in social science: An hypothesis is a statement about an expected finding or relationship, it is a proposition that has not yet received empirical support. An empirical generalization is a statement reporting an observed finding or relationship.

21. Univariate proposition: The majority of students on the Madison campus are in favor of some form of affirmative action. Bivariate proposition: Northern college students are more supportive of affirmative action than southern college students.

22. Hypotheses: A proposition about a relationship whose truth or falsity is yet to be determined by an empirical test.: Confirmation of a theory is the extent to which a hypothesis is capable of being shown to be empirically true, that is, of describing the real world accurately: Falsification .

23. A hypothesis is a proposition that is empirically testable. It is an empirical statement concerned with the relationship among variables . • A variable is anything that may assume different numerical values i.e. that varies • Make sure that you define, or operationalize all your variables… an operational definition • Null hypothesis

24. The Origin of the Hypothesis • Is said to date from the time of Plato (428-347BC), a Greek philosopher. • Plato believed one should develop a belief and then test it by observation .

25. What makes a good hypothesis ? • Precise • Specifies variables to measure • Specifies relationships between variables

26. A poor hypothesis Students spend too much money on fast food. Students with incomes of less than 10,000 per year spend a higher proportion of their income in fast food restaurants than the established mean for the general population. A better hypothesis

27. Eg : Theory –Elements: Theory and Song, A fact without a theory Is like a ship without a sail, Is like a boat without a rudder, Is like a kite without a tail. A fact without a figure is a tragic final act, But one thing worse in this universe Is a theory without a fact.

28. References https://www.slideshare.net/gauravanirbandutta/03-brm-power-point https://www.slideshare.net/alishare/theory-building-brm?from_action=save https://slideplayer.com/slide/5949464/