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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
Components of Theory
THEORY
Components of Theory
THEORY
Abstract Calculus
Components of Theory
THEORY
Abstract Calculus
Theoretic Constructs
Components of Theory
THEORY
Abstract Calculus
Theoretic Constructs
Rules of Correspondence
AgendaAgenda
• Foundational Questions about Research
• Elements of Theory
• Sources and Evaluation of Definitions
• Meta-Theories
Types of Definitions
• Conceptual
• Operational
Relations Among Definitions
Conceptual Definition
< Constructs
Operational Definitions
< Selection of Variables
Conceptual Definition
< Constructs
Operational Definitions
< Selection of Variables
Definition Sources
• Articles?
• Dictionaries?
• Textbooks?
• Conceptual Literature Reviews?
Standards For Definitions
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
See you on Thursday
