agenda foundational questions about research elements of theory sources and evaluation of...
Post on 19-Dec-2015
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AgendaAgenda
• Foundational Questions about Research
• Elements of Theory
• Sources and Evaluation of Definitions
• Meta-Theories
Foundations of Research:The Key Questions
• Is communication a science?
• Which is preferable, theory first research or data first research?
Elements of Theory
• Theory defined: a body of interrelated principles that explain or predict
• Requirements
• Importance of theories
AgendaAgenda
• Foundational Questions about Research
• Elements of Theory
• Sources and Evaluation of Definitions
• Meta-Theories
AgendaAgenda
• Foundational Questions about Research
• Elements of Theory
• Sources and Evaluation of Definitions
• Meta-Theories
Relations Among Definitions
Conceptual Definition
< Constructs
Operational Definitions
< Selection of Variables
Conceptual Definition
< Constructs
Operational Definitions
< Selection of Variables
AgendaAgenda
• Foundational Questions about Research
• Elements of Theory
• Sources and Evaluation of Definitions
• Meta-Theories
Major Meta Theory Schools: The Positivists
• Positivists: generalizations apart from observable reality considered unacceptable
Logical Positivism: statements not describing facts are metaphysical and meaningless
Logical Atomism: statements also are
meaningful if they are composed of
simpler statements that describe
empirical facts
Logical Empiricism: metaphysical
statements acceptable if they
promote understanding empirical statements
Major Meta Theory Schools: The Phenomenologists
• Phenomenology: immersion of oneself in the flow of experience
Major Meta Theory Schools: The Constructivists
• Constructivism: reality constructed by the individual’s encounter with the world and the individual’s set of personal constructs or expectations