LESSON 2: THEORY CONSTRUCTION

Presented by Group 2
 LESSON OUTCOMES
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. familiarize themselves on how a theory is constructed and

formulated and
2. identify the steps in construction and formulation of a theory.
 Understanding a phenomenon scientifically requires
theory construction. This theory will be utilized to
understand and counteract the phenomenon and for
relating it to other phenomena. Thus, theory
construction needs a careful selection of data.

ABSTR
In the past, there was no systematic and organized
method for the formulation and verification of

ACTION sociological theory. Today, theorists are able to know if

their theories are valid or invalid because of the
standard of verification of theories. Theory
construction process happens in a social situation and
would depend on the environment of the thinker and
his/her personal inclination.
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 1. CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP
Logical explanation of the causal relationship between
independent and dependent variables must be

STEPS IN
evident. The elements of universality and uniformity

CONSTRUCTION
with reference to time and space must be present in
explaining the cause and effect relationship.
AND 2. DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
FORMULATION
OF A THEORY Concepts in a proposition must be defined and
explained clearly so that they may give a precise and
meaningful characteristics. A proposition in theory
construction means a statement putting forth an idea.

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 3. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONCEPTS
A logical relationship between the well-defined concepts of
the proposition must be evident. This means that concepts
should be explained with logic and reason, which should be
clear from any confusion or contradiction.

4. THEORETICAL CONCEPTS
These refer to the changing values or variables and are
subjected to testing. They are considered to be an important
component in theory construction because the validity of
sociological theory is based on the validity of hypothesis to be
tested.
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 5. HYPOTHESIS TESTING
The proposed hypothesis is tested through scientific research
methods.

6. DATA ANALYSIS
Collection of data and its analysis are based on the tested
and verified hypothesis. Data analysis gives findings that are
sometimes in favor and sometimes against the hypothesis.

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 7. GENERALIZATION
Interpretation and generalization of collected data are then
made to develop a theory. This is considered to be very crucial
and critical stage of theory construction because the findings
may be interpreted in many ways, and there is danger of
misinterpretation in the findings.

8. EVALUATION OF THEORY
A theory is then evaluated based on the collected facts
interpretation and when generalization has been made. A
theory may be evaluated as true or false, partially or fully. The
first step of theory is called "postulates," and its mathematical
page 6 form is called "law."
 This theory is the basis for predicting,

SUMMARY manipulating, controlling, and

counteracting the phenomenon and also,
for relating the phenomenon to other
phenomena.

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THANK YOU