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

2. Knowledge Development Theory Statement Concept Synthesis Derivation
Analysis
Knowledge

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

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

5. 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.

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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

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

13. 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