Theoretical Rationale

Summary

This 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.