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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Lay Theory |
-"Commonsense Theory" -Individuals formulate to make sense of their own worlds |
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Working Theories |
-Guidelines for behavior in specific contexts |
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Scientific Theories |
-Based on research and evidence beyond personal experience -More formally specified -Tested & Validated |
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Theory |
-Points of convergence and divergence -There is NO single correct definition... definitions vary based on the theorist |
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Points of convergence |
-Theory is an abstraction of the social world (not the same empirical observation) -Only as good as they are practical |
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Divergence points |
"Criteria for good theory" -Can the theory be falsified or generalized? -Typology/Taxonomy |
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Theories as tradeoffs |
tradeoffs are made between accuracy, generalizability and simplicity |
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Deductive approach to theory |
abstract theories are developed, then tested with empirical observations |
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Inductive approach to theory |
-theoretical abstractions are grounded on extensive empirical observation |
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Grounded theory |
Theorists begin with a question or collection of data... unlike positivist research which begins with "valid, known" data |
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Key functions of theory |
-address problems -Organize, Predict, Describe, Explain, Control |
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Units |
-Constructs that make up the theory -Often thought of as "variables" in scientific research |
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Boundaries (Scope) |
Who, when, and where the theory applies |
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Hypotheses |
Propositions to be specifically tested in observation |
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Evaluating Post-Positivist Theory |
-Testable/falsifiable -Accurate -Internally and externally consistent -Relatively broad scope (generalizability) -A theory should be fruitful (can be expanded upon) -Theories should be practical |
