The Uses and Role of Theory

The Uses and Role of Theory
edgehill.ac.uk
What are theories?
• Theories are systems of concepts and ideas that provide
an explanation of a trend, development or phenomena
• Theories have underlying propositions and suppositions
arising from their ontological underpinnings
• Theories provide both explanations and rationales (or
justifications?) for action
• Theories work between tensions and contradictions:
• Abstractions and concrete analyses
• Macro-meso-micro
• Science and ideology
• Mutable yet with persistences
edgehill.ac.uk
What is Theory?
• Cooper and Shindler (2014) - systematically interrelated
concepts, definitions and propositions that are advanced
to define and predict phenomena.
• Dann, Nash and Pearce (1988) - the body of logically
interconnected propositions that provide an interpretive
basis for understanding phenomena.
• Sarokin (2017) - a well-defined scientific principal that is
supported by convincing experimental and observational
evidence that has strong explanatory power and helps
scientists understand a phenomena and make predictions
about future events.
• Stewart, Harte and Sambrook (2011) - theory is an
explanation that offers accounts of how and why things
are as they are.
Tourism Theories, Concepts and
Models by McKercher and
Theory must have four basic
criteria
• Conceptual definitions where existence and properties
are asserted to account for what is observable, that
define who or what is included and specifically excluded.
• Domain limitations which specify the exact setting where
the theory can be applied.
• Relationship-building qualities which logically assemble
a causal relationship between items and state how
variables are related or unrelated to other variables.
• The ability to predict relationships and offer internally
consistent predictions in the real world.
(source: Wacker 1998)
Characteristics of ‘good’ theory
• Unique – one theory must be differentiated from another (if 2
theories are identical, then they are really 1 theory)
• Accurate within its domain
• Parsimonious - If two theories are similar in most respects, the
one making fewer assumptions and requiring fewer definitions is
better
• Conservative, in that it cannot be replaced until a new, competing
theory is shown to be superior
• Generalizable – the more areas a theory can be applied to, the
better
• Fecundity – can be used to expand the area of enquiry into new
directions and it should have broad scope with explanations that
go beyond those it was initially used to explain
• Consistent - within itself and with other accepted theories that are
related to the same phenomena
• Simple and make sense of seemingly disparate parts
• Abstraction – independent in time and space
What is NOT theory
References are not References are sometimes used like a
theory smoke screen to hide the absence of
theory.
Data are not theory Theory and data each play a distinct
role
-Data describe which empirical patterns
were observed
-Theory explains why
Lists of variables or Theory must also explain why variables
constructs are not or constructs come about or why they
theory are connected
Diagrams are not Stage props rather than the
theory performance itself
Boxes and arrows rarely explain why the

proposed connections will be observed.
Hypotheses (or Hypotheses Tare concise statements
Predictions) are not about what is expected to occur, not
Research approach:
Introduction:
What is Research?
Research Definition:
Research is defined as a careful consideration of study
regarding a particular concern or a problem using
scientific methods.
According to the American sociologist Earl Robert
Babbie, “Research is a systematic inquiry to describe,
explain, predict and control the observed phenomenon.
Research involves inductive and deductive methods.”
Inductive research methods are used to analyze
the observed phenomenon and are associated
with qualitative research .
Deductive methods are used to verify the observed
phenomenon, deductive methods are more commonly
associated with quantitative research.
One of the most important aspects of research is the

statistics associated with it, conclusion or result. It is
about the “thought” that goes behind the research.
Research is conducted with a purpose to understand:
•What do study really want to find out?
•What are the processes that need to be followed to
chase the idea?
•What are the arguments that need to be built around a
concept?
Deductive process in research approach
Inductive process in research approach

Theories
Revised
Theories,
Amended
Data Values and
Approaches
Explanations
Values
Theory
Theories tend to be both
constituted in and
constitutive of traditions of
theories and against
alternate traditions
edgehill.ac.uk
What do theories do?
• Provide a basis for classification and distinction
• Makes attributions of significance
• Provide a framework for statements of causality and
relationality – explanatory power
• Have a predictive capacity
• Have both normative and analytic elements
• Are praxeological – have a relationship to practice
• Work paradigmatically within and beyond traditions
• They can be tested by comparison to other theories
(adjacent and opposing) and empirical testing (more in
session 4!)
edgehill.ac.uk
The Role of Theory in Research
• Theory engages implicitly or explicitly throughout the research process
– different degrees of impact dependent on your theoretical and value
positions
• Research can be heavily or lightly theoretically informed
• It is necessary to recognise prior theoretical dispositions or
theoretically informed presumptions that arise from your research
knowledge and experience thus far
• Theory influences your research questions and decisions about
design and methodology are in part a consequence of theoretical
positions
• Theory Influences your research evaluation, which will, equally be
informed by your theoretical position
• Your research stands within and outwith theoretical paradigms
• Theory frames and provides interpretative structure – the basis for
explanations and arguments
• Theory has a circular relationship with research
edgehill.ac.uk
Theory and your Research
Consider the following questions:
1. What theoretical traditions have influenced the framing
of your research/research question/problem?
2. What are the main theoretical arguments and disputes in
your research area?
3. How has (or how do you anticipate) theory influencing
your research methodology/design?
4. How does theory enable critical thinking in relation to
your research?
5. What implications does this have for your understanding
of your research?
edgehill.ac.uk

The Uses and Role of Theory

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Uses and Role of Theory

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Uses and Role of Theory

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Uses and Role of Theory

Boxes and arrows rarely explain why the

One of the most important aspects of research is the

Inductive process in research approach

You might also like