introduction

The Use of Theory

Chapter 3

Definition of Theory • an explanation of a phenomenon arrived at through examination and

contemplation of the relevant facts; a statement of one or more laws or principles which are generally held as describing an essential property of something’

• Conceptual scheme designed to explain observed regularities or relationships between two or more variables.

• A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles."Darwin's theory of evolution - all species of organisms arise and develop through the natural selection of small, inherited variations that increase the individual's ability to compete, survive, and reproduce.

• A set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based."a theory of education" ·

• A plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena the wave theory of light - that light was made up of waves vibrating up and down perpendicular to the direction of the light travels, and therefore formulated a way of visualising wave propagation. “3

Use of theory • Theories can be applied at many stages of quantitative and

qualitative (and mixed) research processes, including: • providing rationale for the study; • defining the aim and research questions; • considering the methodological stance; • developing data collection and generation tools; • providing a framework for data analysis, and interpretation. • enhances robustness and rigour, and the relevance and

impact of the finding • The background section to any research proposal or paper

should describe those theories which are applied widely within the field. This will enable authors to develop arguments, justify their research and ascertain how findings could impact practice.

4

Introduction

• What theories might be used? • Quantitative researchers test hypotheses from theory • Qualitative researchers may use as a lens or generate a

theory • Mixed methods researchers may do both

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Quantitative Theory Use

Testing causal claims in quantitative research: • Causality – expect variable X to cause variable Y • Confounding variables are third variables that may

actually be the cause • True experiments test causal claims • Correlation analysis and surveys test hypothesized

associations

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Variables in quantitative research: • Variable – characteristic of an individual or group that

can be measured or observed • Examples: age, gender, socioeconomic status,

attitudes • Variables may have temporal(Time) order or be

measurable or observable

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Quantitative Theory Use

Variables in quantitative research: • Independent

– Variables that probably cause outcomes • Dependent

– The outcomes that depend on the independent variables

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Quantitative Theory Use

Variables in quantitative research: • Predictor

– Used to predict outcome of interest in survey method studies

• Outcome – Result or outcome of interest in survey method studies – Share properties with dependent variables

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Quantitative Theory Use

Variables in quantitative research: • Intervening or mediating

– Variables that stand between the independent and dependent variables

– Transmit the effects, hypothetical, not observable – Ex- there is an association between being poor and having a shorter

life span. intervening variables could include: lack of access to healthcare or poor nutrition.

• Moderating – Predictor variables that affect the relationship between independent

and predictor variables (race, socioeconomic class or sex, weight, reward level or age).

• Control – Variables that are measured and statistically "controlled“ – EX- to see how the amount of light received affects plant growth. The

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SAGE Publishing, 2018

Quantitative Theory Use

Definition of a theory in quantitative research: • Theory is a scientific prediction or explanation of what the

Researcher expects to find • Interrelated set of constructs or variables • Hypothesis: predictive statement that is tested • Theory emerges from testing hypotheses over and over

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Quantitative Theory Use

Definition of a theory in quantitative research: • Micro-level theories – limited to a small segment of time,

place or number of people (class room management theory) • Meso-level theories – link micro-level and macro-level

theories (learning theory) • Macro-level theories – explain larger scales, for example the

entire society (educational theory” refers to theories that explain the application, interpretation and purpose of learning and education.

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Quantitative Theory Use

Forms of theories in quantitative research: • Stated in

– Set of hypotheses – These are interconnected and demonstrate a process

– Series of if-then statements – These explain why one would expect an independent variable to influence or cause a dependent variable

– Visual model – These allow the reader to visualize the interconnections between the variables

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Quantitative Theory Use

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Quantitative Theory Use

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Quantitative Theory Use

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Quantitative Theory Use

Placement of quantitative theories: • Towards the beginning of the study • Used deductively • Framework for study • Organizing model for

– Research questions or hypotheses – Data collection procedure

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Quantitative Theory Use

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Quantitative Theory Use

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Quantitative Theory Use

Writing a quantitative theoretical perspective: • Examine discipline specific literature (psychological,

sociological, etc.) • Examine prior studies on the topic and related topics • Ask the question that bridges independent and the

dependent variables • Script out the theory section (Example 3.1)

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Quantitative Theory Use

Writing a quantitative theoretical perspective: • Script for the theory section

– Name the theory – Identify origin, source – Identify topics where it is applied – Identify propositions or hypotheses – State independent variables – State dependent variables – Provide a rationale

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Quantitative Theory Use

Variation in theory use in qualitative research: • Used for a broad explanation • Used a theoretical lens or perspective – overall

orienting lens for question of gender, class, and race • Theory becomes the end point in an inductive approach

(Figure 3.5) • Do not employ any explicit theory

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Quanlitative Theory Use

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Qualitative theory use

Variation in theory use in qualitative research: • Qualitative theoretical perspectives

– Feminist perspective – Racialized discourse – Critical theory – Queer theory – Disability inquiry

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Qualitative Theory Use

Variation in theory use in qualitative research: • Decide if you will use a theory in your qualitative

proposal • If used, identify how theory will be used • Locate theory early in the research proposal or at the

end

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Qualitative Theory Use

Locating the theory in qualitative research: • Studies with cultural themes or theoretical lens

– In the opening passages • Studies with an emerging design of qualitative inquiry

– At the beginning, may be modified • Studies based on grounded theory

– Theory derived inductively – Placed at the end

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Qualitative Theory Use

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Quanlitative Theory Use

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Quanlitative Theory Use

Mixed Methods Theory Use

• Mixed methods studies may: – Include theory deductively (theory testing and

validity) – Include theory inductively (an emerging theory or

pattern) – Use a social science or participatory-social justice

framework

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Social science theory use: • Placed at the beginning as an a priori framework to

guides questions/hypothesis • Named and described, used to inform the explanation of

the major variables in the study • Diagrammed to indicate the causal links • Used to guide the data collection process • Returned to at the end to inform findings and results

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Mixed Methods Theory Use

Participatory-social justice theory use: • Growing use of transformative theory and mixed methods • Theoretical framework to inform a mixed methods project • Ethical stance of inclusion and challenging oppression • Designed to build trust • Use of results to enhance social justice

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Mixed Methods Theory Use

Participatory-social justice theory use: • Incorporating into a mixed methods study

– Indicate at the beginning that transformative theory is in use

– Early in the study, outline the framework. – Connect the theory with the existing body of

knowledge on the topic – Involve the community of interest in the process of the

research

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Mixed Methods Theory Use

Participatory-social justice theory use: • Incorporating into a mixed methods study

– Take a stand with the research question – Advance in the design qualitative and quantitative

methods – Talk about your experience as a researcher – End the study by advocating for change

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Mixed Methods Theory Use

Summary

Theory is used to: • Provide an explanation or prediction about the

relationship among variables in quantitative research • Provide broad explanation, a theoretical lens, or as an

end-point in qualitative research • Inform the design, data collection, analysis, and

interpretation in mixed methods research

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