Module #5
Lesson Title: Development of Theory
Lesson Objectives:
At the end
of this module, you should be able to:
1. explain
the stages of theory development; and
apply the kind of reasoning in a given scenario.
A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
Introduction (2 mins)
How are you class? I hope you’re doing great. Today, our topic is all about, “The Development of Theory”. But before that, let’s have a recap of our lesson yesterday. Yes, anybody from the group who can recall what was our lesson yesterday? (The teacher must ask at least two (2) students to answer). Okay, great! So, our lesson yesterday was all about, “Theory and Practice”. The learning objectives for today are: a) explain the stages of theory development; and b) apply the kind of reasoning in a given scenario. Our topic today is still connected with the previous one since it is still about theory. Theorists tend to formulate theories to cite what are the causes why a person commits a crime. However, the focus of our topic today does not dwell on the various theories why a person commits a crime but on how the theory is being developed. Are you guys ready? Alright, let’s begin with this first activity!
B.MAIN LESSON
Activity 2: Content Notes (13 mins)
Concepts of
Theory Development
Scientists formulate theories, test theories, accept theories, reject
theories, modify theories and use theories as guides to understanding and
predicting events. Theories are fruits of scientific research. Scientific research
is a process that is designed to extend our understanding and to determine
if they are correct or useful.
As cited in (http://faculty.jou.ufl.edu/theory.html),
there are three stages of theory development.
1) Speculative - attempts to explain what
is happening.
2) Descriptive - gathers descriptive data
to describe what is really happening.
3) Constructive - revises old theories and
develops new ones based on continuing research.
In order to understand how theory is developed, it is better
to cite the three (3) kinds of reasoning
(Thompson, 2006):
1)
Inductive
Reasoning: A process of using examples and observations to reach a
conclusion. A conclusion based in inductive reasoning is called conjecture. (Example):
90% of humans are right-handed.
Joe is a human.
Therefore, the probability that
Joe is right-handed is 90%. If you were required to guess, you would choose
“right-handed” in the absence of any other evidence.
2) Deductive Reasoning (Example): All men
are mortal.
John is a man. Therefore, John is mortal.
3) Abductive Reasoning is also known as
Retroductive Reasoning (Example):
You're a juror and the defendant looks like
the image of the man on the security camera robbing the bank. He stutters
and pauses, like he is guilty, when answering questions posed by the prosecutor. You conclude, as a juror on your first day as a member
of the jury, that he is guilty,
but you are not certain. Here, you have made a decision
based on your observations, but you are not certain
it is the right decision
Deductive reasoning- is
criticized for the lack of clarity in terms of how to select theory to be
tested via formulating hypotheses.
Inductive reasoning – is also
criticized because “no amount of empirical data will necessarily enable theory-building.
Abductive reasoning, as a
third alternative, overcomes these weaknesses via adopting a pragmatist
perspective
The biggest difference between
deductive and inductive reasoning is that deductive reasoning starts with a statement or hypothesis and then tests to see if it’s true through
observation, where inductive reasoning starts with
observations and moves backward towards generalizations and theories.
The critical point relating to theory
construction is its purpose to predict. The main purpose of theory is to provide the means to develop
mathematical, analytical and descriptive models that predict counterintuitive,
non-obvious, unseen, or difficult-to-obtain outcomes. The theory is clearly
derived by some other means-
it is the imagination and creative insight
of the innovator by which theory is developed.
Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss developed the “Grounded Theory” Approach
(Glaser, 1967) to develop theory in social sciences. Grounded Theory (inspired
the inductive reasoning) asserts that theory is “discovered” as the result of
systematically analysing data or data mining techniques. Induction validates
theory, it does not develop theory. It is mainly applicable for qualitative
research (Jaccard, 2014).
Hypotheses must be part of
some theory structure, or they are nothing more than the opinion of the
researcher, even if that opinion is subsequently “validated.” According to
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, hypothesis is a tentative
assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical
or empirical consequences. It is this process of hypothesis creation
that has resulted
in numerous “tests”
of the same subject area resulting in differing conclusions. Theory
generates hypotheses, hypotheses do not create theory nor are they themselves theory.
Developing an inductive or grounded theory generally follows the following steps (http://sociology.about.com/od/Research/a/Inductive-Theory-Construction.html):
1. Research design: Define your research
questions and the main concepts and variables
involved.
2.
Data
collection: Collect data for your study using any of the various methods
(field research, interviews, surveys, etc.)
3. Data ordering: Arrange
your data chronologically to facilitate easier data analysis
and examination of processes.
4. Data analysis: Analyze your data using
methods of your choosing to look for patterns, connections, and significant findings.
5. Theory construction: Using the patterns
and findings from your data analysis, develop
a theory about what you discovered.
6.
Literature
comparison: Compare your emerging theory with the existing literature. Are
there conflicting frameworks, similar frameworks, etc.?
Congratulations!
That’s enough for today; study the Formula
of Crime Causation found in our textbook (Pages 21-24). Thank you!
Comments
Post a Comment