Word97\swk\theory.doc

The Role of Theory in Research

(to be used in conjunction with ESLE 301, Theory and Methods of Research)

Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D
Professor
University of Connecticut


The Logic of Theory

Ultimately, all research is an attempt to expand and build on the existing 
body of knowledge in a particular area. Since the vastness of a domain 
prohibits a global approach, investigators select small aspects of that global 
domain and, little by little, they attempt to discover the various pieces of the 
puzzle until the larger picture is discerned. Thus, each researcher's 
contribution may be thought of as providing another piece of the puzzle.
Thus, when research is theoretically grounded, the cumulative findings of 
different researchers produce an edifice that coheres, that has integrity and 
hangs well together. In "Chaos in the Brickyard" Forscher discusses how 
atheoretical research fails to build on previous knowledge in a systematic and 
linked manner and the final product often resembles a brickyard, rather than a 
edifice .

Since the larger picture is often rather vast, it becomes necessary to construct 
theoretical bridges whose primary purpose is to establish how a particular 
piece of research is connected to the larger whole. The Theoretical Rationale 
is one such bridge whose function is to connect a particular piece of research 
with the larger body of knowledge (often known as the Review of Literature). 
In particular, the TR serves to contextualize a research project by showing 
where it is grounded in this larger body of knowledge. That is, it 
demonstrates which body of knowledge serves as the foundation for this 
piece of research. The Theoretical Rationale is, therefore, an essential aspect 
of a research enterprise whose goal is the production of logically linked and 
inter-related bodies of knowledge (edifices) rather than brickyards.

A Theoretical Rationale may take several forms depending on the type of 
investigation.

1. Focused literature review

The investigator selects a few studies that are 
most closely related to the project in question and discusses key concepts, 
variables and methods and shows how these are related to the project. Studies 
which employ similar variables/methodology to the ones in your investigation 
are good candidates for inclusion in this type of TR. Independent  and 
dependent variables are explicitly stated and the data are often analyzed 
quantitatively for relationships or significant differences.

2. Use of existing theory (theory testing).

If an existing theory is being used as the basis for the study, such as
Maslow's theory of motivation (and hierarchy of needs), then the investigator
describes the theory and explains how the theory is guiding this particular
investigation. Often, when an existing theory is being used to guide a project,
the investigator will develop several hypotheses from the theory which he/she
then proceeds to test (deductive phase).


3. Exploratory research (theory building)

Summarize what others have written in the area (focused lit review of otehr 
works) and discuss how your study goes beyond and extends the boundaries 
of knowledge. This type of study often proceeds with research questions 
(rather than hypotheses) and the ultimate goal is to generate theory 
(inductively). Much qualitative research works this way.

Suggested length (for ESLE 301): About two typed pages.