This document discusses the role of theory in research. It defines research and theory, and outlines their dynamic relationship. Theories guide research by framing questions and concepts. Research tests and refines theories by generating empirical evidence. There are two approaches - deductive theory leads to hypotheses testing, while inductive theory emerges from data analysis. Theories increase the meaning and predictive power of research findings by connecting specific studies to broader frameworks. They also help identify gaps and drive further discovery.

1. THE ROLE OF THEORY IN
RESEARCH
Miss Bushra Hameed

2. REVIEW
Definition of Research
 A process of scientific thinking that leads to the discovery or
establishment of new knowledge or truth.
 Careful critical, disciplined inquiry varying in technique and method
according to the nature and condition of the problem identified, directed
toward the clarification or resolution of a problem. (Good, p.464)

3.  It is an open door to a better future. It is the source of faith that man can
go forward. It is the challenge that removes the threat of stagnation and
decay from all society (Good and Scates).
 Research is simply a refined technique of thinking employing
specialized tools, instruments and procedures in order to obtain a more
adequate solution of a problem that would be possible under ordinary
means (Crawford)

4. OUTLINE
Purpose and Functions of Research
 The preservation and improvement of the quality of life.
 The purpose of research is to serve man.
 The goal of the research is the good life.

5. Characteristics of a Good Research
 Research is systematic
 Research is controlled
 Research is empirical
 Research is analytic
 Research is original work
 Research is done by the expert
 Research is patient and unhurried activity
 Research require an effort-making capacity
 Research requires courage

6.  Characteristics of a Researcher
 Intellectually curious
 Prudent
 Healthy critic
 Intellectually honest

7. OUTLINE
 Some definitions of ‘theory’.
 Some characteristics of ‘theory’.
 The dynamic relationship between theory and research.
 Deductive theory
 Inductive theory
 Six main roles of theory in research

8. DEFINITIONS OF THEORY
 Theory is a model or framework for observation and understanding, which
shapes both what we see and how we see it. Theory allows the researcher to
make links between the abstract and the concrete; the theoretical and the
empirical; thought statements and observational statements.
 Theory is a generalized statement that asserts a connection between two or
more types of phenomena – any generalized explanatory principle.

9. DEFINITIONS OF THEORY
 Theory is a system of interconnected abstractions or ideas that condenses
and organizes knowledge about the world.
 Theory explains and predicts the relationship between variables.

10. CHARACTERISTICS OF THEORY
 Theory guides research and organizes its ideas.
 Theory becomes stronger as more supporting evidence is gathered; and it
provides a context for predictions.
 Theory has the capacity to generate new research.
 Theory is empirically relevant and always tentative.

11. THE DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THEORY AND RESEARCH
 Theory frames what we look at, how we think and look at it.
 It provides basic concepts and directs us to the important questions.
 It suggests ways for us to make sense of research data.
 Theory enables us to connect a single study to the immense base of
knowledge to which other researchers contribute.
 It helps a researcher see the forest instead of just a single tree.

12. THE DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THEORY AND RESEARCH
 Theory increases a researcher’s awareness of interconnections and of the
broader significance of data.
 Theories are, by their nature, abstract and provide a selective and one-sided
account of the many-sided concrete social world.
 Theory allows the researcher to make links between the abstract and the
concrete, the theoretical and the empirical, thought statements and
observational statements etc.

13. THE DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THEORY AND RESEARCH
 There is a two-way relationship between theory and research. Social theory
informs our understanding of issues, which, in turn, assists us in making
research decisions and making sense of the world.
 Theory is not fixed; it is provisional, open to revision and grows into more
accurate and comprehensive explanations about the make-up and operation
of the social world.

14. THE DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THEORY AND RESEARCH
Theory makes the most significant progress by interacting with research findings
(empirical data). In adopting a theory-based approach to research, the
researcher must adopt the following assumptions:
 Research problems must fit within a larger, logically consistent conceptual
framework which incorporates research done to date
 Variables useful in the explanation and prediction of phenomena become the
‘significant’ facts

15. THE DYNAMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THEORY AND RESEARCH
 To work towards objectivity, empirical testing and replication by others is
essential.
 Research findings must be situated within, the theoretical framework in order
to identify further research which can continue the process of theory
confirmation.

16. DEDUCTIVE THEORY
In a deductive approach, researchers use theory to guide the design of a
study and the interpretation of results. As researchers continue to conduct
empirical research in testing a theory, they develop confidence that some parts of
it are true. Researchers may modify some propositions of a theory or reject them
if several well-conducted studies have negative findings. A theory’s core
propositions and central tenets are more difficult to test and are refuted less
often. In a slow process, researchers may decide to abandon or change a theory
as the evidence against it mounts over time and cannot be logically reconciled.

17. INDUCTIVE THEORY
 Inductive theorizing begins with a few assumptions and broad orienting
concepts. Theory develops from the ground up as the researchers gather and
analyze the data. Theory emerges slowly, concept by concept, and proposition
by proposition, in a specific area. Over time, the concepts and empirical
generalizations emerge and mature. Soon, relationships become visible and
researchers weave knowledge from different studies into more abstract theory.
Empirical generalizations posit the most basic relationship between concepts.

18. SIX MAIN ROLES OF THEORY IN
RESEARCH
1. Theory provides significant guidelines and trails for the conduct of research by
pointing to areas that are most likely to be fruitful, that is, areas in which
meaningful relationships among variables are likely to be found.

19.  2. Increase the meaningfulness of the findings of a particular study by helping
us to perceive them as special cases of the operation of a set of more general
or abstract statements of relationships rather than as isolated bits of empirical
information.

20. 3. It affords a more secure ground for prediction than do these empirical findings
by themselves.

21.  4. An empirical finding as a proposition referring to certain concrete contextual
manifestation of a phenomenon does not afford a basis for drawing diverse
inferences about what will follow, its reformulation or revamping in theoretic
terms affords a secure basis for arriving at the inferences about the varied
positive consequences in areas quite remote from the central area to which
the given finding relates.

22. 5. In affording broader meanings to empirical findings the theory also attests to
their truth.
6. Theory helps us to identify gaps in our knowledge and seek to bridge them
up with intuitive, impressionistic or extensional generalizations.

23. REFERENCES
 http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/social-research/6-main-roles-of-
theory-for-research/92818
 https://www.uwc.ac.za/Students/Postgraduate/Documents/The%20role
%20of%20theory%20in%20research.pdf