Theoretical Rationale
Summary
TLDRThis week's module delves into the critical role of theory in research, starting with defining a theoretical rationale. The video explains how theories shape our observations and understanding, guiding research and organizing ideas. It outlines the process of writing a theoretical rationale, emphasizing the importance of clarity and continuity in defining concepts and choosing between inductive or deductive reasoning. The placement of theory in both quantitative and qualitative research is discussed, highlighting its central role regardless of the research approach. The video concludes with advice on integrating theory into research design and references for further reading.
Takeaways
- 🔍 **Definition of Theoretical Rationale**: A theoretical rationale is a framework that helps researchers observe, understand, and explain phenomena by linking perceptions and provable facts.
- 📚 **Importance of Theory**: Theory shapes what we see and how we see it, providing a generalized explanatory principle that connects different types of phenomena.
- 🧠 **Theory and Research**: A theory is a system of interconnected ideas that organizes knowledge about a topic and aims to explain and predict relationships between variables.
- 🔬 **Theory Development**: Researchers develop theories to guide their research, which strengthens as more support is found through research findings.
- 📈 **Theory and Research Design**: Theoretical rationales are essential in determining if an independent variable influences a dependent variable, often based on previous research or personal experiences.
- 📝 **Writing a Theoretical Rationale**: It starts with the independent variable, is based on a theory, and includes hypotheses about how variables are related, supported by literature.
- 📊 **Placement of Theory in Research**: In quantitative research, theory is often placed in the introduction, literature review, or as a separate section, while in qualitative research, it can be upfront, at the end, or used as an advocacy lens.
- 🔄 **Combining Quantitative and Qualitative**: Depending on the mix of methods, theory can be used in a deductive or inductive manner, or both, to guide the research process.
- 🔗 **Theory and Hypotheses**: Theoretical rationales are used to formulate hypotheses, which are then tested through research, leading to more specific questions or general conclusions.
- 📘 **Continuity and Clarity**: When formulating a theoretical rationale, it's crucial to maintain clarity and continuity in concepts and definitions to ensure a coherent understanding of the phenomena.
Q & A
What is the primary purpose of a theoretical rationale in research?
-The primary purpose of a theoretical rationale in research is to determine if the independent variable influences the dependent variable. It provides a logical statement for relating the variables of a study and serves as a basis for the researcher's hypothesis.
How does theory shape what a researcher can see and how they see it?
-Theory shapes what a researcher can see and how they see it by providing a model or framework that organizes and condenses knowledge about the topic. It allows the researcher to make connections between what is perceived and what can be proven, thus guiding the research and adding organization to the ideas.
What is the relationship between theory and research findings?
-Theory is strengthened by research findings that support it. The more evidence that is gathered through research to support a theory, the stronger it becomes. Conversely, theories guide research by providing a basis for the hypotheses being tested.
Why is it important for a theory to be relevant and tentative?
-A theory should be relevant to ensure it addresses the current understanding and gaps in knowledge within a field. It should be tentative to allow for the possibility that new evidence may require adjustments or refinements to the theory.
What is the role of theory in formulating a theoretical rationale?
-In formulating a theoretical rationale, theory serves as the foundation for understanding the phenomena being investigated. It helps in clarifying concepts and definitions, determining the approach to understanding the phenomena, and deciding whether to use inductive or deductive reasoning.
How does a researcher use previously published work when developing a theoretical rationale?
-A researcher uses previously published work to become aware of or confirm theoretical connections between variables. This helps in formulating the theoretical rationale by providing a basis for the hypotheses and theories that will guide the research.
What is the significance of the placement of theory in quantitative research?
-In quantitative research, the placement of theory can occur in the introduction, literature review, or as a separate section. Each placement serves a different purpose, such as conveying a deductive approach, providing a logical extension of thought, or offering a clear separation for detailed explanation.
How can theory be used in qualitative research, and what are the three main placements?
-In qualitative research, theory can be used upfront as a broad explanation, at the end as an inductive process, or as an advocacy lens. The placement of theory depends on the research approach and can influence how the study is structured and interpreted.
What is the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning in the context of research?
-Inductive reasoning starts with specific observations or cases and builds up to general themes or conclusions, often used in qualitative research. Deductive reasoning begins with general principles or facts assumed to be true and tests these through hypotheses, commonly used in quantitative research.
How can a researcher combine quantitative and qualitative research methods, and what role does theory play in this?
-A researcher can combine quantitative and qualitative research methods by using a sequential, explanatory, or concurrent approach. Theory plays a central role in this process, as it can be a mixture of both deductive and inductive logic, and is often stated at the start of the study to guide the research.
Outlines
🔬 Understanding Theoretical Rationale
This paragraph introduces the concept of a theoretical rationale in the context of research. It explains that theory serves as a model or framework to observe and understand phenomena, shaping what we see and how we see it. The theory allows researchers to link perceptions with provable facts, acting as a generalized explanatory principle. It organizes knowledge about a topic and aims to explain and predict relationships between variables. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of theory in guiding research, adding structure to ideas, and generating new research. It also highlights the tentative nature of theories, which should be relevant and supported by research findings. The process of formulating a theoretical rationale involves reviewing related research, understanding concepts and definitions, and determining the approach—whether inductive or deductive.
📝 Crafting a Theoretical Rationale
The second paragraph focuses on how to write a theoretical rationale. It suggests starting with the purpose of the study, always mentioning the independent variable first. A template for a theoretical rationale is provided, adapted from John Criswell's book, which includes identifying the theory's origin, its application in previous studies, and the propositions or hypotheses derived from it. The paragraph discusses the placement of theory in quantitative research, which can be in the introduction, literature review, or a separate section, depending on the approach. It also touches on the use of theory in qualitative research, explaining three main placements: upfront as a broad explanation, at the end as an inductive process, or as an advocacy lens when the researcher's worldview influences the study's purpose.
🧩 Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
The final paragraph explores the role of theory in mixed methods research, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. It explains that the theory can play a central role regardless of the research method. In quantitative research, the theory may be implied or explicitly stated, and in qualitative research, it can be used in various ways, such as starting with a broad explanation, developing theories from data, or using a specific lens like critical theory. The paragraph outlines different ways to combine deductive and inductive reasoning, such as starting with one and following with the other, or using both concurrently. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of theory in research, regardless of the approach taken, and provides references for further reading.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Theoretical Rationale
💡Theory
💡Variables
💡Deductive Reasoning
💡Inductive Reasoning
💡Hypothesis
💡Research Question
💡Quantitative Research
💡Qualitative Research
💡Mixed Methods Research
💡Critical Theory
Highlights
The role of theory in research is introduced, emphasizing its importance in shaping what researchers observe and understand.
Definition of a theoretical rationale is provided, explaining its purpose in research.
Guidance on writing a theoretical rationale, including how to link theory to research variables.
Explanation of how theory allows researchers to make connections between perceptions and provable facts.
The concept of theory as a generalized explanatory principle that organizes knowledge about a topic.
Discussion on how theory guides research and adds organization to ideas.
Importance of theory in generating new research and its relevance and tentative nature.
The significance of theoretical connections between variables when formulating a theoretical rationale.
Clarity and continuity in theoretical concepts and definitions when investigating phenomena.
The decision between inductive or deductive reasoning in theoretical rationale development.
How the theoretical rationale is derived from the review of related research.
The structure of a theoretical rationale template and its components.
Placement of theory in quantitative research, including its position in the introduction or literature review.
Different placements of theory in qualitative research: upfront, at the end, or as an advocacy lens.
Combining quantitative and qualitative research methods and their impact on the use of theory.
The central role of theory in research, regardless of the approach used.
References for further detailed information on the use of theory in research.
Transcripts
hi everyone welcome to week six of the
module and during this week we will look
at the role of theory we will be
starting first with theoretical
rationale so in this short video we'll
be looking at the definition of a
theoretical rationale we will be looking
at how you can write your own
theoretical rationale and we'll also can
either look at way to place theory right
so if we start off what is the theory
well the theory is a model or a
framework that we use to observe and to
to understand and we do that because it
shapes both what we can see and how we
see it so what the theory does is allows
the researcher to make a link between
what is perceived or what they think
what they what they imagine and what
they can prove right so what we mean is
that we are it's a thought statement so
what do I think about what's the theory
behind something and what do I actually
see what or observe so theory is a
generalized statement that asserts a
connection between two or more types of
phenomena and energies can be a
generalized explanatory principle so a
theory is thus a system of
interconnected thoughts or ideas that
condenses and organizes the knowledge
about your topic or about the world at
large and the theory intends to explain
and predict the relationship between
variables so I would propose in theory
that the effects see in this way and
it's a theory and I go about testing it
so your theory would guide your research
and it would add organization to its
ideas and obviously theory becomes more
stronger the more support that you have
for your theory through your research
findings and theory always has capacity
to generate new research and it is
always a theory should be relevant and
it should always be tentative so while
you are looking at previously published
work you will become aware of or even
confirm some of the theoretical
connections between variables and these
are very important as when you start
formulating your theoretical rationale
you have to keep in mind the different
concepts and the definitions they should
have clarity they should have continuity
and we approach to understanding you
your your phenomena that you want to
investigate and also determine whether
you're going to be using an inductive or
deductive reasoning so ideally your
threat aggression outcomes from the
review of research related to the
independent or the dependent variables
of your study you will then use all of
these findings or ones that influence
these research studies as a theory on
which on which you will base your hunch
about the variables in your study so you
have this theory that if I am comparing
product a to product B this is what I
expect I'm basing it on theory and I'm
setting out to prove it right so your
best purchase reticle rationale it's
going to be okay so if we briefly
summarize a theoretic rationale has a
goal of determining the if the
independent variable influences the
dependent variable right the researcher
has a bethis about what the result is
going to be and this can either be based
on person
experiences or from past learning what
has been done before and the researcher
will have to include any scientific or
other grey literature to support the
hypotheses and include a theory that
either suggests or predicts that
hypothesis will be supported in the
study so in short they threaten
rationale is a logical statement for
relating the variables of your study
okay so now you have gone through some
of articles or some of the books that
have been published before and you've
not gathered enough information now you
want to write your three to go rationale
it would start with something like this
the purpose of this study is to describe
or compare or relate and you would
always start with the independent
variable first in both a theoretical
rationale and throughout your concept
note as well as any research proposal
and you always mentioned the theory at
the beginning of a sentence right so
here is a theoretical rationale template
that has been adapted from a book by
John Criswell and what basically says is
the theory used in this study will be
you named a theory developed by the
person so identify the origin of the
source for the theory it was used to
study and here you would identify the
topics where the theory has been found
to apply this theory indicates that here
you would put in what your propositions
are the hypothesis in your theory as
applied to this study one-digit open
about the theory holds that is
reasonable to expect that the
independent variables will influence or
explain the dependent variables and here
you would add in what your dependent
variables are because and here you would
think provide the rationale based on the
logic of the theory okay so if we look
at the placement of a theory in
quantitative research if it is placed in
the introduction section this is
generally the most common approach it's
familiar to the reader a mate when they
read it they say oh this is what you're
going to use it conveys a deductive
approach and all effects where that you
know if it is in you review of
literature it becomes a logical
extension of you flow of thoughts so
you're explaining what the background is
and this then flows into what a theory
is you can also go after the your
hypothesis and this explains how and why
the variables are related or it can be
in a separate section and this is in a
clear separation from the other
components of the research process it
can be better identified and a better
understanding of the theory if it is
explained in detail
now what about qualitative research well
the variety of the ways that Theory can
be used in qualitative research and
there are three main placements of
theory and these are right up front
right up front explanation or it can be
right at the end or you can use it as an
after advocacy lens so if you look at
the placement of theory upfront this is
when a theories uses a broad explanation
for the attitudes for the variable of a
study population the research will begin
with the theory and then phrases all of
these questions around the theory which
may then include variables or constructs
or any
hypotheses if that is applicable if you
think of an example of an ethnographer
which is investigating themes of
culturing them within a tribal community
there are quite a number of theories
that would come out of thing but some of
the themes around the theories might
include
language or familiar organization or
tribal or hierarchy and each one of
these themes can further broken down in
a series of hypotheses about the see
sorry that the researcher can then test
but by starting off with an idea in mind
it makes the explanation of the study
much simpler so if you're for example
think of the placement of theory right
at the end so the theory comes at the
end this is when it as is an inductive
process and the diagram below describes
that so it's thought of by gathering
information for interviews for example
it would ask them open-ended questions
you would analyze the data and identify
themes and then from these broad themes
or general generalizations you then
develop theories from these themes and
at the end the researcher poses theories
from past experiences and from the
literature so the theory comes right at
the end you don't start off with a
theory
lastly we look at the advocacy lens so
this is used when a researchers world
implies that the purpose of the research
is to recommend the improved treatment
of participants in the world outside of
the research right so an example would
be a worldview that indicated that would
involve and her advocacy lanes and this
could be critical theory for example
which would involve concerns with
empowering humans to transcend the
constraints placed on them by race class
and gender so by starting off the field
with a particular lens in mind that is
how the research would start off so
already starting off with that that idea
through a very specific worldview
okay so if we think of combining
quantitative and qualitative research
methods depending on how we mix them you
would use the results of both the
inductive and deductive logic in the
study if you look at deductive this is
associated with testing hypotheses and
using quantitative methods in
qualitative research that section where
the process is generating hypotheses you
will then use the inductive logic
reasoning and the diagram and the next
slide will explain this in a little bit
more detail alright so your question
research question would involve a
combination of both deductive and
inductive reasoning if we started with
deductive this would begin with stating
the facts or general principles assume
to be true he would then test these by
developing hypotheses these hypotheses
are either accepted or rejected based on
your test so experiments and these will
then lead to more specific questions if
we look on the at the end you're in the
inductive reasoning would start off with
observations or specific cases that are
seem to be relevant and these are then
explored through in-depth data
collection these will lead to
identification of themes and then these
themes are they used to build or to
refine more general conclusions now bear
in mind when you are mixing qualitative
and quantitative methods you can either
start with a deductive reasoning first
and then inductive reasoning afterwards
and that's one specific method or
inductive reasoning first and afterwards
they you start with deductive or they
can start exactly the same time
remember these are sequential
explanatory sequential exploratory your
concurrent methods meaning at least are
exactly the same time so
please be the in mind right so if we
summarize regardless of which research
approach that is used Theory does play a
central role now in quantitative
research the serum may not be upfront it
may be implied in quantitative research
the theory may be explicitly stated at
the start or at the end of the study or
using the specific lens and when you are
combining these two methods the theory
can be a mixture and it is frequently
stated at the start of your study and
your a few references that you can refer
to for more detailed information on
these thank you very much
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