Unit 8

Question 1

What are two ways that a theory may be used?

Answer 1

To persuade or to explain

Question 2

Identifying theories – Main Strategy and additional features to help identify theories (3)

Answer 2

Main strategy: Look for statements that explain why regularities occur. (Indicator words such as “why”, “because”, “explains”, “accounts for” can help).

Additional features:

1. Theories typically have a broader scope that that which they explain; many regularities can be explained by the same theory.
2. Theories are more remote from direct evidence than the events or processes they can be used to explain.
3. Theories commonly use specialized or technical language.