Lecture 2 tutorial: The role of theory in research

Question 1

What is a theory?

Answer 1

1. Helps us understand many aspects of our environment
2. Used to help make decisions
3. Fundamental to research work
4. To explain behaviour

Question 2

What are the 4 components of a theory?

Answer 2

1. Concepts - it is the building blocks
2. Thinking construction - to represent a model between 2 or more concepts
3. Connection/Association - within the constructs, there must be relationships
4. Hypotheses - Based on the theories, we form a statement that is possible to prove what you are expecting in the hypothesis

Question 3

What is the definition of ‘Theory’?

Answer 3

> A theory is a mindset of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena

> The theory makes it possible to formulate hypotheses that can be proved in an empirical manner

Question 4

What are the 3 ways of thinking about theory?

Answer 4

1. Theory as a paradigm - underpins research design
2. Theory as a lens - may inform our understanding of the phenomenon under investigation
3. Theory as a knowledge - may emerge from our study