Concept, Statement, & Theory Development Yueh-Ling Wang 2014/10/22

Knowledge Development Theory Statement Concept Synthesis Derivation Analysis Knowledge

Derivation Concept Statement Theory Get, obtain, acquire, secure, receive Concept Statement Theory

Synthesis Concept Statement Theory combination, union, unification, integration, incorporation, amalgamation, consolidation, fusion, coalescence, assembly, mixing, blending Concept Statement Theory

Analysis Concept Statement Theory A careful examination of something in order to understand it better Concept Statement Theory To be sure it is a valid theory and is reliable in its description, explanation, prediction, and prescription, or control. Theory is usually constructed to express a unique, unifying idea about a phenomenon that answers previously unanswered questions and provides a new insights into the nature of phenomenon.

Analysis vs. Evaluation The act of considering something to decide how useful or valuable it is

Theory To express a unique, unifying idea of a phenomenon Answers previously unanswered Qs & provides new insights into the nature of phenomenon Parsimonious, precise A set of interrelated relational statements about a phenomenon Is useful to describe, explain, predict & prescribe or control

Theory Synthesis Specify focal concepts Identify related factors & relationships Construct an integrated representation

Thoroughly search current related theories Theory Derivation Thoroughly search current related theories Identify none current suitable/useful theories Read widely & discover analogies Use imagination & creativity while reading Select a parent theory for derivation Identify use which concepts/statements/structure Develop or redefine concepts/statements/structure Requires creativity & thoughtfulness of the theorists The parent theory should be chosen b/c it offers a new & insightful way of explaining or predicting about a phenomenon in the theorist’s field of interest. Any theory that provides you with a useful analogy can be chosen. The whole parent theory my not be needed to form the new theory. Only those portions that are analogous & therefore relevant need be used. The theorist is free to choose what best fits the needs of the situation The concepts or structure that is borrowed from the parent theory is modified in such a way that it becomes meaningful in the theorist’s field

Theory Analysis Systematic examination of the theory for meaning, logical adequacy, usefulness, generality, parsimony, & testability The strengths & weaknesses of the theory? Needs to additional development or refinement? Theory analysis offers one way of determining what needs to be put to the test and often suggests how it can be done

Six Steps of Theory Analysis Identify origins of the theory Examine meaning of the theory Analyze the logical adequacy Determine usefulness of the theory Define the degree of generalizability/ transferability & parsimony Determine testability of the theory Origins- what prompted its development? Meaning- concepts? Examine definitions & use? Statements? Relationships? Language used by its original theorist Logical adequacy- the logical structure of the concepts & statements independent of their meaning. Any logical fallacies? Usefulness- how practical & helpful? A realistic guides to practice? Generalizability or transferability- which generalization can be made from the theory The more widely the theory can be applied, the more generaliable it becomes Parsimony- how simple & briefly a theory can be stated? Elegant in its simplicity? Simple in its expression? A parsimonious theory explains a complex phenomenon simply & briefly without sacrificing the theory’s content, structure, or completeness. Testability– whether the theory can be supported by empirical data. If a theory cannot generate hypotheses that can be subjected to empirical research, it is not testable.

Advantages? Limitations? Make a conclusion: Utilizing the results of theory analysis

Theory Practice Research Theory analysis is particularly helpful in research because it provides a clear idea of the form & structure of the theory in addition to the relevance of content, & inconsistencies & gaps present The missing links or inconsistencies are fruitful sources of new research ideas They also point to the next hypotheses that need to be tested