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PattersonTBTM7101-1

Diagram Theory Development and Use

Tiffany C. Patterson

School of Business, Northcentral University

BTM-7101: Doctoral Studies in Business

Dr. Chole Shay

August 16, 2020

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Theory Development and Testing

A theory is a set of concepts interrelated to shape a structural view of phenomena that can be

represented or projected (Imenda, 2014). The seed of a theory begins with a question that seeks to find

similarities between things that are seemingly unrelated. It contains foundational characteristics such as

who (the theory variables); how (element linkage); why (the interpretation of the fundamental

dynamics); and when, where (the parameter conditions) (Byron and Thatcher, 2016). A theory is built

when a researcher attempts to articulate a phenomenon through data collection in order to explain a

theory. Data collection may include: independent research to better understand the phenomenon, a

determination of related theories or the creation of a new theory (Garud and Gehman, 2016). Once

plausible connections are made, the researcher then builds a hypothesis to explain the observations of

the phenomena. The hypothesis may contain independent and dependent variables but must be

measured in order to transform the prediction into an evidence-based theory. Measuring the hypothesis

is derived from integrating experiments into the environment to test the hypothesis. Performing

repeatable tests by the researcher and peers or advisers validates the creditability of the hypothesis in

order to create a theory (Earman, 1984). If the replicated tests do not support the researcher’s

prediction then the hypothesis is incorrect and the researcher may need to refine the hypothesis. If the

replicated tests do yield the same evaluated results from researcher to peer or adviser, then the logic

behind the hypothesis is sound and the theory can be confirmed with certainty. Once a theory is

developed and a conclusion has been drawn, the theory is then peer-reviewed and re-evaluated (if

necessary) to ensure the theory is good. This process may also cause the researcher to conduct

additional experiments or make revisions in order to expand on their existing theory.

Conclusion

The framework behind developing and testing a theory is intertwined. Without testing, a

hypothesis cannot be proven and it becomes nothing more than an educated guess. In this case,
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measurable evidence (which I think is the most complex portion of this process) is key to theory

development. While both aspects of this process are vital to the framework of a good theory, I would

prefer to develop a theory rather than test it. Testing a theory may require multiple experiments to

confirm my predictions and it also requires meticulous annotation to keep an accurate record of the

results. During this process I could see myself getting easily frustrated if the outcomes do not yield the

desired results. While theory development would probably help me to maintain my sanity, I do

recognize the value behind theory testing and ultimately would like to confirm my predictions. This

means I would eventually capitulate to theory testing in order to validate my theory.

References

Byron, K., & Thatcher, S. M. B. (2016). Editors’ Comments: “What I Know Now That I Wish I Knew

Then”--Teaching Theory and Theory Building. Academy of Management Review, 41(1), 1–8.

https://doi-org.proxy1.ncu.edu/10.5465/amr.2015.0094

Earman, J. (Ed.). (1984). Testing scientific theories. ProQuest Ebook

Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com

Garud, R., & Gehman, J. (2016). Theory Evaluation, Entrepreneurial Processes, and Performativity.

Academy of Management Review, 41(3), 544-549. doi:10.5465/amr.2015.0407

Imenda, S. (2014). Is There a Conceptual Difference between Theoretical and Conceptual Frameworks?

Journal of Social Sciences, 38(2), 185-195. doi:10.1080/09718923.2014.11893249

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Theory Development and Theory Testing

Researcher Researcher Researcher

Data Test Good Theory
Determine
Determine if if aa
Consider
Consider and
and determine
determine Evaluate
Evaluate hypothesis
hypothesis streamlined
streamlined hypothesis
hypothesis Determine
Determine whether
whether there
there is
is
aa phenomena
phenomena to
to be
be Collect
Collect data
data on
on this
this Search
Search for
for data
data patterns
patterns with
with additional
additional data
data is
is the
the strongest
strongest known
known sufficient
sufficient proof
proof toto refute
refute
observed phenomena
phenomena or or
or support
support aa stronger
observed and
and or by
by making
making aa hypothesis
hypothesis obtained
obtained to
to see
see if
if the
the reason
reason for
for aa particular
particular hypothesis
stronger
described reproduce
reproduce itit in
in an and hypothesis and
and whether
whether oror
described an and explain
explain patterns
patterns interpretation
interpretation appears
appears phenomenon
phenomenon not
not the
the hypothesis
hypothesis should
should
experiment
experiment to
to represent
represent the
the be changed or rejected
be changed or rejected
expected
expected pattern
pattern
Phenomenon Researcher Hypothesis Theory Researcher and
Researcher and
Peers or Advisers Peers or Advisers