Compare And Contrast Corley And Gioia

Using Cresswell (2009), Corley and Gioia (2011), Harlow (2009) and Stam (2010) and Trochim and Donnelly (2008), we will exam what constitutes a Psychological theory. These authors share both similar concepts of what constitutes a theory while providing additional points of view for consideration. They have distinctive views and analyses that overlap as well as interpretations where they clearly have a varied conception of what it takes to establish a theory. The comparison begins with something all authors agree on and that is, the definition of theory varies. Cresswell (2009) contributes the variety to one aspect of theory, that it serves different purposes. Corley and Gioia (2011), self-described “borrowers” of the scientific discipline …show more content…
It may also be used at the beginning as a way to shape the questions that will be generated like in Transformative Research Theory. In both quantitative and qualitative research, theory is broad in its explanation of behaviors using a theoretical lends to shape the questions of issues of marginalized groups. Through this process emerges the development of themes into patters or generalizations and a resulting call for change (Cresswell, 2009). Harlow (2009) and Corley and Gioia (2011) agree on the concept that theory as intended to advance knowledge, to move it forward with forward thinking, providing a different point of view. Corley and Gioia (2011) argue that theory building, as they call it, has the potential for foresight and changing the conversation. Harlow (2009) specifies that theory provides insight so as to change the conversation. Accurate prediction about the observation and practicality, provide revelatory theoretical insight to improve our understanding. Corley and Gioia (2011) identify these elements in their own efforts to contribute to the Theory of theory building. In the process of defining these characteristics, efforts have been made to gain legitimacy. Corley and Gioia (2011) iterate the concept of theory building as providing cohesion and structure, utilitarian, advance our understanding, extend our existing knowledge, offer a new point of view, value added contribution, theoretical insight, improves our understanding, provides an accurate prediction about the observation, is original and challenges current knowledge. Harlow (2009) goes on to describe the process by which testing and developing theory make for a theoretical contribution. This is explained as the process of retroduction, by which researchers retest and reframe their theory against the data as it emerges. To be considered an emergent theory, there