Primer in Theory Construction: An A&B Classics Edition

by Davidson Reynolds; Paul

• ISBN13: 9780205501281
• ISBN10: 0205501281
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2006-04-26
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This brief text for students in the social and behavioral sciences provides a formal introduction to the way theories are constucted, stated, tested, and connected together to form a scientific body of knowledge.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xiii
Introduction	1	(18)
For What Should Scientific Knowledge Be Useful?	2	(6)
Typologies	2	(1)
Prediction and Explanation	3	(2)
Sense of Understanding	5	(2)
Control	7	(1)
Theory	8	(2)
How Does a Concept or Statement Become Part of a Scientific Body of Knowledge?	10	(2)
Desirable Characteristics of Scientific Knowledge	12	(5)
Abstractness	12	(2)
Intersubjectivity (Meaning)	14	(1)
Intersubjectivity (Logical Rigor)	14	(2)
Empirical Relevance	16	(1)
Summary and Conclusion	17	(2)
The Idea	19	(26)
Kuhn Paradigms	20	(5)
Example: Freud's Theory of Personality	22	(3)
Paradigms	25	(7)
Examples: Heider's Balance Theory	26	(2)
Two Conceptions of Status Structures: Elitist and Pluralistic	28	(4)
Paradigm Variations	32	(10)
Examples: Variations on the Freudian Conception of Personality	32	(3)
Variations on Heider's Balance Theory	35	(7)
Identifying Paradigms	42	(1)
Conclusion	43	(2)
Concepts	45	(22)
Definition of Concepts	46	(3)
Abstract vs. Concrete Concepts	49	(3)
Concept Measurement	52	(5)
Quantification of Concepts	57	(8)
The Nominal Level	58	(1)
The Ordinal Level	59	(1)
The Interval Level	60	(2)
The Ratio Level	62	(1)
General Comments on Quantification	63	(2)
Summary and Conclusion	65	(2)
Statements	67	(16)
Existence Statements	67	(2)
Relational Statements	69	(7)
Associational Statements	70	(1)
Causal Statements	71	(3)
Deterministic and Probabilistic Statements	74	(2)
Levels of Abstraction	76	(1)
Theoretical Statements	77	(1)
Relation of Theoretical Statements to Theory	78	(2)
Relationship between Theoretical Statements and Empirical Data	80	(2)
Summary	82	(1)
Forms of Theories	83	(34)
The Set-of-Laws Form	83	(10)
Examples: The Iron Law of Oligarchy	84	(1)
The Laws of Operant Behavior	85	(3)
The Exercise of Influence in Small Groups	88	(5)
The Axiomatic Form	93	(5)
Example: The Exercise of Influence in Small Groups	94	(4)
The Causal Process Form	98	(11)
Examples: The Effect of First Impressions on Cognitions	99	(1)
Creation of Oligarchies	100	(2)
Operant Behavior, Law II	102	(2)
The Exercise of Influence in Small Groups	104	(1)
Status Incongruence and Mental Health	105	(4)
Evaluation of the Three Forms of Theory	109	(4)
Simulation or Model Building	113	(3)
Summary	116	(1)
Testing Theories	117	(24)
Abstract Statements and Concrete Research	117	(2)
Empirical Research and Confidence in Abstract Statements	119	(3)
Statistical Decision Procedures	122	(10)
Classical Statistical Inference	123	(7)
Should the Hypothesis Be Presented before the Data Are Examined?	130	(2)
Changing Confidence in Theories	132	(2)
Comparing Theories	134	(5)
Conclusion	139	(2)
Strategies for Developing a Scientific Body of Knowledge	141	(22)
Research-Then-Theory	142	(4)
Theory-Then-Research	146	(2)
Comparison of Strategies	148	(6)
How to Get a New Idea	154	(2)
Composite Approach	156	(3)
Research Methods	159	(2)
Conclusion	161	(2)
Conclusion	163	(8)
Potential for a Social Science	165	(6)
APPENDIX: STUDENT EXERCISES	171	(6)
Comments	171	(1)
Assignment I: Empirical Generalization and Empirical Support	172	(1)
Assignment II: Explanation of an Empirical Generalization	173	(1)
Assignment III: Testing a Theory	174	(1)
Assignment IV: Application of Theories to Natural Phenomena	175	(2)
References	177	(6)
Author Index	183	(2)
Subject Index	185