vol. 4 no. 1, 2021

VOL. 4 NO. 1, 2021

https://doi.org/10.26772/cijds-2021-04-01-08

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RESEARCH IN POLITICAL SCIENCE: THE IMPERATIVE FOR

THEORY BUILDING

Oyekanmi, Abdullahi Abiodun

Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ijebu-Ode,

Ogun State, Nigeria Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Research in Political Science is an interesting academic exercise. The outcome

opens new frontiers of knowledge on the fundamental economic and political

problems of men. It also provides testable solutions to the identified problems.

For research to serve its core purpose and have her result trusted, it must be

anchored on relevant theories to focus- guide the research and confer scientific

credibility on its outcome. Relevant studies and experience have however shown

that many beginner research students in political science do not appreciate the

value of theory in relation to research and are lacking in technical skills needed

in theory building. Many supervisors and lecturers consented that many of their

research students are always confused when it comes to theorization. This study

is a practical guide to motivate, help and conscientize students of politics on the

value of theory and the practical steps to theory building. The paper which is

descriptive, with secondary sources of information, discovered that existing

theories are overused, research students do not know how to apply relevant theory

to research and that it is worrisome that, they do not appreciate the need to build

new theories. The study, recommends more qualitative research, a separate tutor-

guide approach to expose students of politics to many available theories across

all discipline and to mandate them on the need to build at least newly self-

constructed theory to anchor any of their research in political science.

Key words: Politics, research, science, theory, theory building

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Conducting research in the field of political science is an interesting

endeavor, as it relates to the constant changing phenomenon and dynamic

political behavior of men. It is ubiquitous to anchor research on testable

theories, due to the predictive, explanatory and scientific values it adds to

research. Many studies have observed a growing problem that many


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research students are lacking in the innovative minds, working procedures

and mastery of suitable theories for their research. (Fischer, 2010; Harlow,

2009; Stam, 2007; Wacker, 1999& Jason, 2017)

It is more worrisome that many of the theories available in political science

have been saturated and over used by scholars, not only in the disciplines

but in other social sciences. It is now imperative that political science as a

leading social science can continue with this garb of honor, if her

researchers become more innovative in theory buildings as a building block

of research. In the opinion of Adewunmi (2017), the demonstration of

academic seriousness by political scientist includes being so resourceful

and innovative in theory building. He argued that it is the beauty of

academic freedom to construct or adopt a convincing intellectual

proposition in the foray of research.

Glaringly, there is intertwining relationship between academic research and

theory generation. The development of theory is dependent on research and

likewise, research is contingent on theory (Fawcett & Downs, 1986).

Harlow (2009), espoused the close relationship between research and

theory and emphasizing the unavoidable linkage therein, and developed the

term retroduction, an extant meaning for the interplay between theory

building and research endeavors.

This paper is set out to help motivate and guide researchers, most especially

research students in political science, in the choice of appropriate theories

in their research, to design and broaden general and technical

understanding on the need to self-construct, test and adopt newly built

theories in testing, explaining and predicting research phenomenon in an

evolving political and academic world.

2.0 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

The brief but succinct discussion of these following terms are considered

necessary to appreciate conceptual framework as embedded in this paper

and to prepare background definitions of the key words herein.


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Theory

The popular perception on theory is that it helps in analyzing research areas

to enhance predictive outcome and value effects. Although, there is no

consensus definition on the principle, types and method of theory used in

research. (Wacker, 1999; Harlow, 2009; Stam, 2007; Gelso, 2006; Sutton

& Straw, 1995; Weick, 1995).

Parsons (1964) “states theory as a systematized research through scientific

law and value. For Galtung (1985), theory is a streamlined statement of

assumptions structured through research processes to produce relationship

and new facts from research activities.

Theory is an aggregated fact that explains new discoveries and frontiers of

knowledge, designed to empiricise, test, analyze and predict research

outcome (Kaplan, 1964). In the word of Stam (2007), theory is a

systematized knowledge that is intently deployed to solving identified

problem from research phenomenon. Malmi and Granlund (2009), opined

that theory is an encompassing generalization of knowledge as observed

from research enclave.

Osuala, (2019) opines theory as organized knowledge which includes

tested and verified information, to explain research findings. The inference

here is that theories are basic assumption of investigated truth drawn from

observable issues, variables or phenomenon.

Gelso (2018), identified out nine index attributes of theory which are;

descriptive ability, explanatory power, heuristic value, testability,

integration, parsimony, clarity, comprehensiveness, and delimitation.

Theory Building

Theory building is viewed as the planned activities and persistent logic of

explaining investigated experience for the purpose of x-raying the

weakness and strength therein and for possible improvement. (Lynham,

2000). Building theory is an intellectual engagement, using logical

deductions to observe and explain research endeavors (Dubin, 1976).

Marsick (1990), reveals that for research to serve it purpose, it needs to

evolve through rigorous process, justify its relevance in academic world

and it must not ignore the application of theory. In the opinion of Swanson


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(1997; Gall and Borg (1996) theory building is an academic inquiry for the

purpose of research.

Research

Research is the scientific organization of knowledge, the process which

helps to collect, analyze information for the purpose of increasing general

and specific understanding of phenomenon. (Leedy & Ormond, 2005). In

the words of Ellis and Levy (2008), research is a careful design of

collecting verifiable information, analyzing it for the generation of

knowledge. The worthwhile nature of research is for it to lead to discovery

of new frontiers of knowledge or at best validating the earlier proffered

research submission.

Wacker (1999), in his submission emphasized the core purposes of research

as the need to conduct fact finding and develop theories from the

observation thereof. Simply put, research opens a floodgate of standpoints

for theory to emanate. Selltiz, et. al (1974) posited that research is the

activities undertaken in other to seek answers to questions or problem

through the application of scientific procedures. In furtherance to this

opinion, the concept of research is sometimes equated with science. This

inspired Kerlingers (1977) to reiterate that when men get involved in

careful scientific enquiries on hypothetical relations among phenomenon

through empirical means, research has surely taken place. This

undoubtedly equates research with science. Nwana (2017), sees research as

the techniques of finding answers to research questions.

A more elaborate definition has been offered by Nwana (1981) who opined

research as the systematic investigations on fundamental issues relating

discovery of knowledge and the means from which new fact emerged. It is

an intensive study and orderly learning of new facts, in relations to

proposed and tested ideas.


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2.1 The Review of Literature

Theory Building and Research in Political Science: Relationship in

Focus

Theory and research are inseparable for empirical discoveries of

knowledge not turn utopian. In theory building, researcher is guided by

clarity of ideas on the type and method of research at hand; qualitative or

quantitative. In sum, research and theory have interjectory relationship

(Fawcett & Downs, 1986).

Gay and Weaver (2011), affirmed that research findings assist to strengthen

existing theories review and discover stop-gap in theoretical knowledge.

The connecting bridge between research and theory stems from the reality

that, while theory improves researcher with various available strategies to

qualitative or quantitative research, research on the other hand, leads to

generation of new theories from concluded research, (Harlow,2009).

Holten and Lowe (2007) did not undervalue the relationship between

research and theory in their discussion. It was affirmed that theory advances

research knowledge on whose new constructs, researchers seek to conduct

repeated research to verify and discover new theory.

Tips to Building Theory in Political Science Research

Relying on the various discussions on theory, theory building is a scholarly

innovation and intellectual probity into new ideas and validated opinion on

research phenomenon. It is a way of building on the existing theory, to

create new set of theory that can be flexibly adapted into new research or

existing research for the purpose of refinement and validity of knowledge.

Gioia and Patre (1990), argued that there is no universal accepted method

of theory building nor is it necessary to have one. This emphasizes the

earlier held opinion that theory building is an evolving intellectual probity

of research phenomenon, restricting theory building to single method is to

limit its uniqueness and cage its logical profoundness.

However, to Muhamed (2014), there are three main activities involved in

the process of theory building:


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a. Theory Abduction: This is the first stage in the theory formulation circles

wherein the researcher dwell on the consciousness to build theory in

response to a proposed investigation.

b. Theory Construction: it is the logical deduction of putting theoretical

strands together to construct a theory. It is the formulation stage in the

theory circle.

c. Theory Evaluation: The third stage of this theory is the application and

evaluation of the reliability and validity of the new theory through

deductive reasoning.

The following are other tips as espoused by selected scholars of notes;

3.0 Conceptual Development

Dublin (1978) and Lynham, (2000) consent that theorist would have to

demonstrate versed understanding and profound explanatory knowledge on

research problem by having deeper understanding of all the concepts in any

research endeavor. This is the conceptual clarification stage in the

theorization circle that provides information on the dynamics of the

problem under investigation.

There are veers of methods and procedures to building theories,

nonetheless, the irreducible minimum that must be adhered to in conceptual

generation is a clear understanding of how the concept relates to the

problem of investigation from which theoretical framework is expected to

emanate from. (Dubin, 1978 and Kaplan, 1964).

Operationalization

Cohen, (1991) echoes the need to implement the generated theory through

testing and re-testing procedure to validate research. He calls this, the

linkage between concept and practice. The validity of theoretical

framework is only guaranteed through scientific observation of its elements

and testability of ensuing hypothesis.

Confirmation or Disconfirmation

Studies in research methodology concludes that theories are built to

validate existing knowledge or to disapprove extant theoretical conclusions


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based new findings, (Adewunmi, 2017). In essence theory building need

adequate planning, application and assessment in line with the studies at

hand. The consequence of these stages would inform researcher to continue

in the usage of the theory based on relevance or to discontinue based on

spotted errors. The efficacy and reliability of the theory is tested in this

stage.

Borrowing Theoretical Constructs from Elsewhere

The interdisciplinary relationship in behavioral sciences helps to approach

research from multifaceted perspectives, creating intellectual strands with

competing ideas and helping alternative easy way of undertaking research.

A perfect way to do this is not to only focus on self-discipline to generate

theory, one must look into other areas of studies from social or applied

sciences to borrow relevant elements to regenerate theory. Notable scholars

like Von Berta nlanffy and David Easton did not shy away from adopting

their theoretical bases of General System theory, a theory which is still

popular till date. Cohen& Elizabeth (2019), asserted that to draw

inferences from the hypothetical elements from different discipline is

edifying and useful for researcher when developing theoretical framework.

Proper Usage of the Theory

Theoretical framework is a tour guide to research activities to review and

explain important literatures and it provide easy ways of linking the studies

with the problem of investigation. In the process of doing this, the theory

in use must be continuously emphasized in the research process. The

elements in the theoretical framework must be fully explored. However, if

the inadequacy of the theory is discovered, it should be refined or jettisoned

for new theory (Fleet&Anthony, 2006).

Challenging the Validity of an Existing Theory

Shepared (2018) and Roy (2019), argued that theories are generated to be

tested and the emanating assumptions are to reviewed and challenged;

theories are not static, but are meant to formulate agreed universal laws to

predict, analyze and explain the phenomenon of research in other to arrive

at a trusted outcomes. In line with this to ascertain that knowledge is not

static and that it is subjected to continual growth and development,


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theoretical testing of assumptions is key. If one is to apply an existing

theory to a research problem, the analysis may include the expectation by

the supervisor that one should offer modifications to the theory based on

research findings.

4.0 Relevance of Theory Building in Political Science Research

Research in Political Science is tricky and complex in its procedures as the

phenomenon being observed are constantly changing, hence the need for

dynamic and updated theory in conducting political research. Theory

building is like a torchlight, a moonlighting activities that helps to simplify

research procedures. It helps political science researchers in focus on the

real variables of investigation and make research an ordered procedure.

Every good research is expected to be anchored on relevant theories. Since

the researcher is at liberty to decide on a better theory to explain his

findings, he would do so well by constructing self-theory in research. It is

a consensual opinion among scholars and researchers in training that

phenomenon of investigations is a strong determinant of the type of theory

to be adopted, hence the need for researcher in Political Science to develop

probing nerves in x-raying existing theories in research field, identifying

the low points therein and therefore offer new intellectual strengths to

develop and construct new theories, whose elements and strands he can

well grab and control. The intellectual creativity of political scientists to

improve on his explanatory and predictive research is dependent on the

ease at which he can formulate, test and adopt new theories to explain

political problems or research variables as observed or validated if incase

of existing theory.

Aliaga & Gunderson (2000), noted that political problems of many years

ago still persist, although in varying dimensions. Hence the need for

political science researcher to explore intellectual theorization of ideas in

the search of solution. Adigun, (2010) corroborated this, that a modern

political scientist is better as an adventurous theorist of many intellectual

standing. The interdisciplinary nature of political science has made

research in it, an open entrance not only for other social sciences like

economics, sociology and anthropology, the pure sciences like Biology and


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Mathematics are equally having a field day most especially in the usage of

concepts and theory adaptation.

As enunciated in the work of Kaplan (1964), theory building allows for

proper mastery of the identified conceptual frameworks considered

worthwhile in any field of research. Suffice to contend that research in

political science is a syntax and rigor of political investigations which

requires in-depth understanding of all variables. In conclusion, when a

researcher in political science attempts theory building, there is propensity

to be exposed to varying concepts, better understanding of the issue of

investigation and alternative explanations to all issues of research under

review.

Building theory portend great possibility for the much touted science of

politics that has been the recurring desire of the behaviouralist. In building

new theories, new constructs and causal relationship of variables and

research phenomena are birthed to invalidate existing theory or refine as

the case may be. It is on this premise that many researchers would dwell on

the new theory, to examine its areas of strength, weakness and suitability

for empirical research and key into the towering language of research.

Holten and Lowe (2007) give credence to this fact in their emphases on

theory as the torchlight to scientific research. Theory building would help

students of politics to adequately problematize his research topic and

properly follow the rigorous procedures of theory to developed a detailed

and organized findings The ability of a political scientist to innovate and

independently theorize from the rigorous observation of problems

identified, confers the status of a science, professionalism and maturity in

the field of political science. Hatcher, (1999) refers to the researcher ability

to theorize as maturity in research.

Challenges facing Theory Building in Political Science Research

In building theory, the theory is never assumed to be complete and

excellently fitting to all emerging phenomenon, hence it places a burden on

the researcher, on the need to continually work on the theory to refine and

better develop it in line with new research reality or current trends in the

phenomenon of observation. Cohen (1991), and Root (1993), agree that


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theory building is not a quick fix in research procedures, the process is also

intensive. Researchers in Political Science is always preoccupied with

current research issues and must therefore adapt, develop and improve the

new theory in response to surging political dimensions on daily basis. This

places too much responsibility on political scientist, he is mandated to

continuously pay attention to the validity and reliability of the theory.

Theory building in Political Science research affects the relationship

between researcher and political actors or practitioners. The research output

as aided by the theory is expected to explain the action and administrative

initiative of the practitioners. In reality, theoretical explanations most times

do not conform to realities of political actions. Hence, theorist and

practitioners cannot always mutually agree on the predictive nature of

theory. The political scientist would therefore possibly have his theory

challenged if the practitioners finds contrasting result from the practical

reality. For instance, Aristotle’s index on poverty as a prelude to revolution

and propensity to commit crime stands challenged by the growing cases of

individuals and groups who habitually call for revolution and participate in

criminal activities in the name of ethnic agitations and geo- political

sentiments, as against the core explanations from Aristotle.

Research students in political science have not been able to fully benefit

from the maxim of academic freedom and intellectual strength of political

science. Many are not conscious of the need to break away from the

existing theories of many generations in social sciences, and therefore find

it difficult to be resourceful in combining constructs to formulate theory as

a result of phobia and stringent attachment to traditional theories.

5.0 Conclusion

Theory is an indispensable element in research endeavor and its place had

come to be cemented in political science as a social discipline. Not only

does it ensure organized and reliable research procedures, it offers

scientific credibility to the outcome of political research, as against fainted

assumption and surface guesses of untestable opinions.


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It was discovered that research students in political science are too attached

to the usage of generational theories of many years standing, a practice that

has overstressed these theories beyond measures. While a number of

supervisors are worried that many students appear lost in direction in the

need to properly connect relevant theory with the problem of

investigations, students on the other hand also habitually develop cold feats

and loss of self confidence in theorization process. The need for innovation

and building of new theories to respond and explain evolving political

problems is a concluded line of action if research students are to horn their

research skills and be exposed to new technical reality in theoretical

constructs.

5.1 Recommendations

The paper recommends that a tutor guide interaction between research

teachers and political science researcher is essential in a bid to review the

values of theoretical frameworks as it connects with research phenomenon.

Research students in political science need to be self-motivated and

encouraged to construct new theories to explain and predict the identified

problems in research, away from the popular theories. This would

undoubtedly lead to new areas of knowledge for more theories to be tested

on.

For research in political science to be distinct and unique from other

disciplines, researchers in political science should develop open inquiry to

building new theoretical paradigms capable of explaining the flaws in many

of the existing theories, using the noted gaps in such theories to build a new

and encompassing theory for explaining political phenomenon.

It is also recommended that postgraduate curriculum of political science

should also be reviewed with the possibility of including theory building as

a course of study. This would create a strong background and motivation

for students to be versed in theory generation.

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