Transcript Theory and Methodology

Theory and Methodology
Apichoke Lekagul
Theory and Methodology
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Definitions
Functions of Theory in Research
Framework of Theories
Forms of Theories
Sub-Divisions of Theories
Normative Design Theories
Scope of Theories
3 Paradigms of Theories
Deduction and Induction
Descriptions of Theory in Quantitative and
Qualitative Study
Definitions (Babbie, 1998)
• Theory and Paradigm are related words
• Theory: “a systematic set of interrelated
statements intended to explain some aspect of a
phenomenon”
• Paradigm: “general framework or viewpoint that
provides a way of looking at a phenomenon and is
grounded in a set of assumptions about the nature
of reality”
Paradigm >> way of looking
Theory >> explains the ways
[Related] Definitions (Babbie, 1998)
• Concept: a basic building block of theory;
abstract elements representing classes of
phenomena within the field of study
• Observation: gathering of information
• Hypothesis: expectation about a relationship
in reality
Functions of Theories in Research
(Babbie, 1998)
• Prevent our being taken by chances
– (support random findings without explanation)
• Make sense of observed patterns in a way that can
suggest other possibilities
– (explain results & suggest further actions or
recommendations)
• Shape and direct research, pointing toward likely
discoveries through empirical observation
– (guide directions, narrow down the scope of
investigation)
Framework of Theories
(Groat & Wang 2002)
1. A set of propositions or observation terms about
some aspect of the research
2. Logical connections between propositions
3. A set of conclusions drawn from 1 and 2
4. Linkages of empirical reality
5. A set of assumptions or presuppositions
underlying the theory
6. The connections of all the above should be
phrased in such a way that the theory is testable
in principle
Forms of Theories
(Moore, 1997)
• Worldview: theoretical or conceptual orientations
(to a subject matter)
• Frameworks: describe the relations among
existing entities in a given domain
• [Conceptual] Models: articulate the dynamic
mechanisms among organized bodies of findings
(operationalization of theory)
• Explanatory Theories: systematic and testable
constellations of concepts explaining aspects of
behavior in relation to aspects of environments
Forms of Theories
(after Moore, 1997)
Worldview
Conceptual
Models
Explanatory
Theories
Frameworks
Sub-Divisions of Theories
(Groat & Wang 2002)
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Positive vs. Normative Theories
Big, Medium and Small theories
Polemical Theory of Design
Prediction vs. Persuasion
Positive Theories
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Descriptive and explanatory systems
Can identify causal link
Can predict future behavior
Empirically provable
Scientific theories are positive theories
Normative Design Theories
• Principles to be follow
• Conception or mental scheme or something to be
done
• The method of doing it (practice)
• Hard to test or empirically prove
• Most design theories fit in this category
• e.g., Vitruvious’s Four Books, Paladdio’s Ten
Books, Le Corbusier’s Towards a New
Architecture, Venturi’s Learning from Las Vegas
Scope of Theories
(Moore, 1997; Babbie, 1998)
• Moore (1997) [Environmental Design]
– Grand (Big T) Theories
– Low Level (Little T) Theories
– Theories of Middle Range
• Babbie (1998) [Social]
– Macrotheory
– Microtheory
Grand (Big T) Theories
• Account for a wide range of data across
several substantive subdomains of a field
• Integration of lower order theories
• e.g., the theory of relativity [E = mc2]
Low Level (Little t) theories
• Account for limited body of data, for a limited
domain of observed regularities in nature and a
limited though clearly specified set of phenomena
(from which they are developed)
• Theories developed by a research (have not been
widely and repeatedly tested)
• e.g., The Pattern Language (Alexander et al.,
1977)
Theories of Middle Range
• Between grand and low level theories
• Most theories in particular disciplines that
are useful across the fields
• e.g., theory of environmental perception,
theory of human settlement, urban design
theory
Macrotheory and Microtheory
(Babbie, 1998)
• Macrotheory
– Explains relationships among major institutions
in the society
• Microtheory
– Explains relationships among small groups or
individuals
Polemical Theory of Design
• Deal with creation of built environments
• Take polemical stance to set normative
guidelines (against some existing principles
and promote others)
• e.g. “Less is More” (Mies van de Roh);
“Less is Bore” (Venturi)
Prediction vs. Persuasion
Prediction
• Positive theories possess predictive ability
• Can be tested empirically
Persuasion
• Normative and polemical theories are hard
if not impossible to test empirically
• Therefore tested by acceptance, longevity
and persuasion
3 Paradigms of Theories
Theories that:
• explains or directs toward physical entities or the
environment
– (material strength, heat transfer, proportion of structure,
formal design)
• explains interaction or relationship between
human and the environment
– (use of materials, comfort zone, human scale &
territoriality, perceptions, functional needs for design
• explain relationships or conflicts between people
– (between groups, cultures, genders, training, etc.)
Functions of Theories in Research
(Babbie, 1998)
• Prevent our being taken by chances
– (support random findings without explanation)
• Make sense of observed patterns in a way that can
suggest other possibilities
– (further actions or recommendations)
• Shape and direct research, pointing toward likely
discoveries through empirical observation
– (guide directions, narrow down the scope of
investigation)
Theory and Methodology
(after Groat &Wang, 2002)
Philosophy
Theory
Foundations for Research
Strategy or
Methods
Tactics or
Techniques
Domain of Research
Theoretical Objectives in Research
• Test theory (Deduction)
– Scientific and quantitative studies
• Construct theory (Induction)
– Qualitative studies
Deduction and Induction
• Deductive Logic: All men are mortal, Mr. A
is a man; therefore, Mr. A is mortal. (to test
it is to kill Mr. A to see if he dies)
• Inductive Logic: Noted that Mr. A was
mortal, and also noticed that many other
men were also mortal. Finally, observed that
every man was moral. Then comes a
conclusion that all men are mortal.
Deductive Model
• Model: from general (principle) to specific
(observation or test)
• Objective: testing or confirming theory
• Method: testing hypothesis
• Design: concept  variables  test 
confirm or reject hypothesis  confirm
theory
• Example:
Inductive Model
• Direction: from specific (observations) to general
(principle, conclusion or even theory)
• Objective: make general conclusion, theory
construction
• Method: grounded theory, collectively answering
questions
• Design: tentative concepts  questions 
observations  patterns  answers 
conclusions or theory
• Example:
The Wheel of Sciences
(after Babbie, 1998)
Theories
Empirical
Induction Generalization
Hypotheses Deduction
Observations
Deductive Mode of Research in Quantitative Study
(Creswell, 1994)
Inductive Mode of Research in Qualitative Study
(Creswell, 1994)
Description of Theory in Quantitative Study
(Creswell, 1994)
Description of Theory in Qualitative Study
(Creswell, 1994)