Theory and Research

How did you discover

the meaning of the
passage written in an
unfamiliar symbol?
Which line is longer? Vertical
or horizontal?
An optical illusion is a visual stimuli that is
perceived by the eyes and then
comprehended by the brain in a way that is
different from reality. ... Since the brain has a
need to define reality based on simple, familiar
objects it creates a 'whole' image from
individual elements.
What is a Theory?

It is a related set of
concepts and
principles about a
phenomenon.
COMPONENTS OF
THEORY
CONCEPT
CONSTRUCT
PRINCIPLE
Theory Parts
 Concepts
 Concept clusters
 Classification concepts (ideal types)

 Relationships

 Can be represented by a model

THEORETICAL MODEL
Is a theory that is developed to explain a
situation or phenomenon and further, be able to
forecast it.

Theoretical modelling is based on the number

or a set of theories.
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

Theoretical framework
in a study is based on
an existing theory or
theories.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

in a study is
something you can
develop based on
this theory.
Why theory is important?

1. Theory provides
concepts to name what
we observe and to explain
relationships.
Why theory is important

2. Theory justifies
reimbursement to
get funding and
support.
 Why theory is important

3. Theory enhances the growth of

the professional area to identify a
body of knowledge with theories
from both with in and with out the
area of distance learning. That
body of knowledge grows with
theory and research.
Why theory is important

4. Theory guides
research.
“The theory also helps us
understand what we don’t know
and, therefore, is the only guide to
research. Relating to theory, it
increases its ability to solve other
problems in different times and
different places.”
(Moore, 1991: 2)
FUNCTIONS OF CONCEPTS
AND PRINCIPLES

1. They help us to
understand or explain
what is going on
around us.
FUNCTIONS OF CONCEPTS
AND PRINCIPLES

2. They help us predict

future events (can be
causal or correlational)
Purpose of Theory
 Explain

 Predict

 Establish causality
Types of Explanations:
 Prediction and explanation

 Causal explanations

 Structural Explanations

 Interpretive explanations
 “That’s what theory is: the
summary and synthesis of what is
known about a field. It is the
reduction of our knowledge to the
basic ideas, presented in a way
that shows their underlying
patterns and relationships.”
 (Moore, 1991:2)
Development
of Theory
STAGES OF THEORY
DEVELOPMENT

1. SPECULATIVE
Stages of Theory Development

2. DESCRIPTIVE
Stages of Theory Development

3. CONSTRUCTIVE
Process of Theory
Development

1.

THEORY-
PRACTICE-
THEORY
Process of Theory
Development

2.
PRACTICE-
RESEARCH-
THEORY
Process of Theory
Development

3.
THEORY-THEORY-
RESEARCH/
PRACTICE
Dimensions of Theory

Deductive vs.
Inductive
Dimensions of Theory
C. Levels of Theory
 Micro – small scale social
processes
 Meso – organizations and
movements
 Macro – large scale social
processes
How to Evaluate Theories
The usual questions about how to evaluate theories
need to be asked.
1. What is the date of the research
2. What is the research method
3. What is their reputation
4. What are the peer reviews saying
Theory Evaluation
Criteria
 Scope

• What is the coverage?

• Up to what extent?
• From which era to what era?
• To which size of sample?
Logical Consistency

• The way the theory is explained

• How the result of tests yielded the same
result?
• T1 + T2 + T3 +T4=?
Parsimony

Parse means few or only a little.

If I walk into a room that is
sparsely furnished there may
only be a table and chair. If a
theory has parsimony it has few
concepts. It is only sparsely
furnished with concepts.
 Heurism

Heurism is the amount of research and new

thinking stimulated by the theory. Do other
theorists quote the theory and use it as a
springboard to create their own theories? If so,
this theory has good heurism.
 Utility

How useful will the theory be in your field of study?

 TEST OF TIME

How can the theory be applicable across ages and

era?
 HOMEWORK

Be able to find “any theory” and be able to

evaluate it according to the six (6) guidelines.