Page 48 - alligood 8th edition_Neat

CHAPTER 3 Theory Development Process 29

specify the measurability of the concepts, and opera- concepts that are necessary to understand the phe-
tional linkages provide the testability of the assertions. nomenon of interest (Foster, 1997).
It is the operational linkages that contribute a perspec- Reynolds (1971) concluded that the set-of-laws
tive for understanding the nature of the relationship approach provides for classification of phenomena or
between concepts, to know whether the relationship prediction of relationships between selected variables,
between the concepts is negative or positive, linear, or however it does not further understanding or advance
curvilinear (Hage, 1972). A theory may be considered science since it is based on what is already known.
fairly complete if it presents the concepts, definitions, Finally, Reynolds (1971) notes that each statement
relational statements, and linkages. Complete develop- or law is considered to be independent, since the
ment of a theory, however, requires organizing the various statements have not been interrelated into a
concepts, definitions, relational statements, and link- system of description and explanation or evolved
ages into premises and hypotheses (Hage, 1972). A from an organized conceptual model or framework.
premise is a proposition upon which an argument is Table 3-6 describes the principles of theory develop-
based or from which a conclusion is drawn. A hypoth- ment: laws, hypotheses, and theory. Therefore, each
esis is a proposed explanation made on the basis of statement must be tested since the statements are not
limited evidence as a starting point for further investi- interrelated, and one statement does not provide
gation. As the theory evolves, concepts and theoretical support for another statement. This set of laws may
statements are developed establishing a logical organi- be useful to begin theory development; however,
zation of the theory components. The conceptual ar- research efforts must be more extensive.
rangement of statements and linkages into premises The organizationof a theory is an interrelated, logi-
reveals any areas of inconsistency (Hage, 1972). Prem- cal system. Specifically, a theory consists of explicit
ises (or axioms) are the more general assertions from definitions, a set of concepts, a set of existence state-
which the hypotheses are derived. It is generally agreed ments, and a set of relationship statements arranged
that conceptual ordering of theoretical statements and in hierarchical order (Reynolds, 1971). The concepts
their linkages is indicated when the theory contains a may include abstract, intermediate concepts, and
logical list of theoretical statements. concrete concepts. The set-of-existence statements
Reynolds (1971) describes three forms for organiz- describe situations in which the theory is applicable.
ing theory: laws, theory, and causal process (prediction). Statements that delineate the boundaries describe
Each is a different conceptual approach to organization the scope of the theory (Dubin, 1978; Hage, 1972;
with different limitations. Establishing a set of laws or-
ganizes findings from available research in an area of
particular interest from the literature for evaluation.
Findings are evaluated and sorted into the categories of TABLE 3-6 Theory Development
laws and hypotheses based on the degree of research Principles
evidence supporting each assertion (Reynolds, 1971).
Limitations to the set-of-laws approach to theory Principle Definition Proof
building have been noted. Scientific A statement of fact Simple, true,
First, the nature of research requires focusing on laws meant to describe universal, and
the relationships between a limited set of variables, an action or a set of absolute
therefore attempts to develop a set-of-laws theory actions.
from statements of findings may result in a lengthy Hypothesis An educated guess based Has not been
number of statements asserting relationships between upon observation proved
but limited to two or more variables. The lengthy set Theory One or more hypotheses Accepted at true
of generalizations may be difficult to organize and that explains a set of and proved
interrelate. Second, for research to be conducted, con- related observations
cepts must be operationally defined so they can or events and has
be measurable. Therefore, the reported empirical been verified multiple
findings may eliminate the abstract or theoretical times