SCCA1023

COMMUNICATION THEORY
TOPIC 2: THEORY
 Learning Outcomes
• Understand what is theory
• Standards or evaluating theories
• Understand the functions of theory
What is THEORY?
What is THEORY?
 The Functions of theory
• Organizing
• Focusing
• Clarity
• Observational
• Predictive
• Heuristic
• Control
• Change
 Level of theories
Grand • Theories that attempt to explain all of a
communication phenomenon.
Theory

Mid-Range • A theory that attempts to explain a specified

aspects of a communication phenomenon.
Theory

Narrow • A theory that attempts to explain a very

limited aspects of a communication
Theory phenomenon.
How theory is develop?
How theory is develop?
 Criteria of a good theory
Scope How much does the theory
Appropriatness Logical consistency between theory
and assumption.
Testability Is it testable
Validity Is there truth value.
Heuristic value Do the theory generate new ideas
Parsimony Logical simplicity.
Openness Open to other possibilities.
 How to get to know
something?
ontological epistemological axiological
• The study of • How we go • The role of
being/non being about knowing values in theory
or the nature of and what counts and research
reality as knowledge • A branch of
• A branch of • A branch of knowledge
knowledge knowledge a focussed on
focussed on the focussed on how what is worth
nature of reality we know things knowing
 What have you learned?
Summary

• Theory is a set of explanation of phenomena.

• Theory build based on empirical & systematic process.
• Three level of theory: grand, mid-range & narrow.
• Theory functions: create knowledge & application.
• Good theory is full of knowledge and practical.