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    1t Bchap A Primer in Theory Construction

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    isang bandila
    This document is a primer on theory construction in social sciences. It discusses key aspects of developing scientific theories including desirable characteristics, concepts, statements, forms of theories, testing theories, and strategies for knowledge development. The goal is to provide guidance on building rigorous yet empirically relevant theoretical frameworks to advance scientific understanding. It emphasizes the importance of both empirical research and abstract theorizing in developing and evaluating scientific theories.

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    1t Bchap A Primer in Theory Construction

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    isang bandila
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    This document is a primer on theory construction in social sciences. It discusses key aspects of developing scientific theories including desirable characteristics, concepts, statements, forms of theories, testing theories, and strategies for knowledge development. The goal is to provide guidance on building rigorous yet empirically relevant theoretical frameworks to advance scientific understanding. It emphasizes the importance of both empirical research and abstract theorizing in developing and evaluating scientific theories.

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    1t bchap a primer in theory construction

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    This document is a primer on theory construction in social sciences. It discusses key aspects of developing scientific theories including desirable characteristics, concepts, statements, forms of theories, testing theories, and strategies for knowledge development. The goal is to provide guidance on building rigorous yet empirically relevant theoretical frameworks to advance scientific understanding. It emphasizes the importance of both empirical research and abstract theorizing in developing and evaluating scientific theories.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    6 views5 pages

    1t Bchap A Primer in Theory Construction

    Uploaded by

    isang bandila
    This document is a primer on theory construction in social sciences. It discusses key aspects of developing scientific theories including desirable characteristics, concepts, statements, forms of theories, testing theories, and strategies for knowledge development. The goal is to provide guidance on building rigorous yet empirically relevant theoretical frameworks to advance scientific understanding. It emphasizes the importance of both empirical research and abstract theorizing in developing and evaluating scientific theories.

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    You are on page 1of 5

    ALLYN & BACON CLASSICS

    A Primer in Theory
    Construction

    PAUL DAVIDSON REYNOLDS

    Boston New York San Francisco


    Mexico City Montreal Toronto London Madrid Munich Paris
    Hong Kong Singapore Tokyo Cape Town Sydney
    Contents

    Preface xi
    Acknowledgments xiii

    1. INTRODUCTION 1

    For What Should Scientific Knowledge Be Useful? 2


    Typologies 2 * Prediction and Explanation 3 •
    Sense of Understanding 5 • Control 7

    Theory 8

    How Does a Concept or Statement Become Part of a


    Scientific Body of Knowledge? 10

    Desirable Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge 12


    Abstractness 12 • Intersubjectivity (Meaning) 14 •
    Intersubjectivity (Logical Rigor) 14 • Empirical
    Relevance 16

    Summary and Conclusion 17

    2. THE IDEA 19

    Kuhn Paradigms 20
    Example: Freud's Theory of Personality 22

    Paradigms 25
    Examples: Heider's Balance Theory 26 • Two Conceptions
    of Status Structures: Elitist and Pluralistic 28
    viii Contents

    Paradigm Variations 32
    Examples: Variations on the Freudian Conception of
    Personality 32 • Variations on Heider's Balance
    Theory 35
    Identifying Paradigms 42
    Conclusion 43

    3. CONCEPTS 45
    Definition of Concepts 46
    Abstract vs. Concrete Concepts 49
    Concept Measurement 52
    Quantification of Concepts 57 The Nominal
    Level 58 - * The Ordinal Level 59 • The Interval
    Level 60 • The Ratio Level 62 • General Comments
    on Quantification 63

    Summary and Conclusion 65

    4. STATEMENTS 67
    Existence Statements 67
    Relational Statements 69 Associational
    Statements 70 * Causal Statements 71 • Deterministic
    and Probabilistic Statements 74
    Levels of Abstraction 76
    Theoretical Statements 77
    Relation of Theoretical Statements to Theory 78
    Relationship between Theoretical
    Statements and Empirical Data 80
    Summary 82
    Contents ix

    5. FORMS OF THEORIES 83

    The Set-of-Laws Form 83


    Examples: The Iron Law of Oligarchy 84 • The Laws of
    Operant Behavior 85 • The Exercise of Influence in Small
    Groups 88

    The Axiomatic Form 93


    Example: The Exercise of Influence in Small Groups 94

    The Causal Process Form 98


    Examples:The Effect of First Impressions on
    Cognitions 99 • Creation of Oligarchies 100 •
    Operant Behavior, Law II 102 • The Exercise of
    Influence in Small Groups 104 • Status Incongruence
    and Mental Health 105

    Evaluation of the Three Forms of Theory 109

    Simulation or Model Building 113

    Summary 116

    6. TESTING THEORIES 117

    Abstract Statements and Concrete Research 117

    Empirical Research and Confidence in Abstract


    Statements 119

    Statistical Decision Procedures 122

    Classical Statistical Inference 123 * Should the


    Hypothesis Be Presented before the Data Are
    Examined? 130

    Changing Confidence in Theories 132


    Comparing Theories 134
    Conclusion 139
    x Contents

    7. STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING A


    SCIENTIFIC BODY OF KNOWLEDGE 141

    Research-Then-Theory 142
    Theory-Then-Research 146
    Comparison of Strategies 148
    How to Get a New Idea 154
    Composite Approach 156
    Research Methods 159
    Conclusion 161

    8. CONCLUSION 163
    Potential for a Social Science 165

    APPENDIX: STUDENT EXERCISES 171


    Comments 171
    Assignment I: Empirical Generalization and
    Empirical Support 172
    Assignment II: Explanation of an Empirical
    Generalization 173
    Assignment III: Testing a Theory 174
    Assignment IV: Application of Theories to
    .Natural Phenomena 175
    References 177
    Author Index 183
    Subject Index 185

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