1. Reader in Sociology and Social Philosophy MRes Lead, Social Sciences
The Uses and Role of Theory
Paul Reynolds
Reader in Sociology and Social Philosophy
MRes Lead, Social Sciences
edgehill.ac.uk

2. 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
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3. Theories Revised Theories, Amended Values and Approaches Data
Explanations
Values
Theory
Theories tend to be both constituted in and constitutive of traditions of theories and against alternate traditions
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4. 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!)
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5. 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
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6. Theory and your Research
Consider the following questions:
What theoretical traditions have influenced the framing of your research/research question/problem?
What are the main theoretical arguments and disputes in your research area?
How has (or how do you anticipate) theory influencing your research methodology/design?
How does theory enable critical thinking in relation to your research?
What implications does this have for your understanding of your research?
We will return to looking at theory and its engagement with research in session 4
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