Writing a theory paper
Of southern zing your social sciences research tical zing your social sciences research paper: theoretical purpose of this guide is to provide advice on how to develop and organize a research paper in the social of research flaws to ndent and dependent ry of research terms. The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold or support a theory of a research study. The theoretical framework introduces and describes the theory that explains why the research problem under study , gabriel. Theoretical framework consists of concepts and, together with their definitions and reference to relevant scholarly literature, existing theory that is used for your particular study. The theoretical framework must demonstrate an understanding of theories and concepts that are relevant to the topic of your research paper and that relate to the broader areas of knowledge being theoretical framework is most often not something readily found within the literature. The selection of a theory should depend on its appropriateness, ease of application, and explanatory theoretical framework strengthens the study in the following ways:An explicit statement of theoretical assumptions permits the reader to evaluate them theoretical framework connects the researcher to existing knowledge.
Guided by a relevant theory, you are given a basis for your hypotheses and choice of research lating the theoretical assumptions of a research study forces you to address questions of why and how. It permits you to intellectually transition from simply describing a phenomenon you have observed to generalizing about various aspects of that a theory helps you identify the limits to those generalizations. A theoretical framework specifies which key variables influence a phenomenon of interest and highlights the need to examine how those key variables might differ and under what virtue of its applicative nature, good theory in the social sciences is of value precisely because it fulfills one primary purpose: to explain the meaning, nature, and challenges associated with a phenomenon, often experienced but unexplained in the world in which we live, so that we may use that knowledge and understanding to act in more informed and effective conceptual framework. Group these variables into independent and dependent key social science theories that are introduced to you in your course readings and choose the theory that can best explain the relationships between the key variables in your study [note the writing tip on this page]. The assumptions or propositions of this theory and point out their relevance to your research. To that end, the following roles served by a theory can help guide the development of your by which new research data can be interpreted and coded for future use,Response to new problems that have no previously identified solutions strategy,Means for identifying and defining research problems,Means for prescribing or evaluating solutions to research problems,Ways of discerning certain facts among the accumulated knowledge that are important and which facts are not,Means of giving old data new interpretations and new meaning,Means by which to identify important new issues and prescribe the most critical research questions that need to be answered to maximize understanding of the issue,Means of providing members of a professional discipline with a common language and a frame of reference for defining the boundaries of their profession, to guide and inform research so that it can, in turn, guide research efforts and improve professional d from: torraco, r.
Administrative science quarterly 40 (september 1995): ure and writing theoretical framework may be rooted in a specific theory, in which case, your work is expected to test the validity of that existing theory in relation to specific events, issues, or phenomena. For example, peripheral realism theory, which categorizes perceived differences among nation-states as those that give orders, those that obey, and those that rebel, could be used as a means for understanding conflicted relationships among countries in africa. A test of this theory could be the following: does peripheral realism theory help explain intra-state actions, such as, the disputed split between southern and northern sudan that led to the creation of two nations? You may not always be asked by your professor to test a specific theory in your paper, but to develop your own framework from which your analysis of the research problem is derived. Justify the application of your choice of a particular theory and explain why alternative constructs were rejected. Answers to these questions come from a thorough review of the literature and your course readings [summarized and analyzed in the next section of your paper] and the gaps in the research that emerge from the review process.
With this in mind, a complete theoretical framework will likely not emerge until after you have completed a thorough review of the as a research problem in your paper requires contextualization and background information, a theory requires a framework for understanding its application to the topic being investigated. When writing and revising this part of your research paper, keep in mind the following:Clearly describe the framework, concepts, models, or specific theories that underpin your study. This includes noting who the key theorists are in the field who have conducted research on the problem you are investigating and, when necessary, the historical context that supports the formulation of that theory. This latter element is particularly important if the theory is relatively unknown or it is borrowed from another on your theoretical framework within a broader context of related frameworks, concepts, models, or theories. Therefore, note why the theory you've chosen is the appropriate present tense is used when writing about theory. Although the past tense can be used to describe the history of a theory or the role of key theorists, the construction of your theoretical framework is happening should make your theoretical assumptions as explicit as possible.
Later, your discussion of methodology should be linked back to this theoretical ’t just take what the theory says as a given! What parts of the research problem require further investigation because the theory inadequately explains a certain phenomena]. New york: oxford university press, not leave the theory hanging out there in the introduction never to be mentioned again. Be sure to always connect theory to the review of pertinent literature and to explain in the discussion part of your paper how the theoretical framework you chose supports analysis of the research problem, or if appropriate, how the theoretical framework was found in some way to be inadequate in explaining the phenomenon you were investigating. In that case, don't be afraid to propose your own theory based on your another writing 's a theory? Terms theory and hypothesis are often used interchangeably in newspapers and popular magazines and in non-academic settings.
However, the difference between theory and hypothesis in scholarly research is important, particularly when using an experimental design. A theory is a well-established principle that has been developed to explain some aspect of the natural world. Unless your study is exploratory in nature, your hypothesis should always explain what you expect to happen during the course of your key distinctions are:A theory predicts events in a broad, general context; a hypothesis makes a specific prediction about a specified set of circumstances. Theory has been extensively tested and is generally accepted among scholars; a hypothesis is a speculative guess that has yet to be tested. University of southern sity of southern zing your social sciences research tical zing your social sciences research paper: theoretical purpose of this guide is to provide advice on how to develop and organize a research paper in the social of research flaws to ndent and dependent ry of research terms. University of southern market ms & chresearch raduate research & eventsrecent and ogy writing bout the ng the g papers that apply sociological theories or document is intended as an additional resource for undergraduate students taking sociology courses at uw.
In all cases follow course-specific assignment instructions, and consult your ta or professor if you have these application assignments are a common type of analytical writing assigned in sociology classes. You can choose cases that confirm (support), disconfirm (contradict),[2] or partially confirm any to apply theory to empirical application assignments generally require you to look at empirical phenomena through the lens of theory. According to the theory, if particular conditions are present or you see a change in a particular variable, what outcome should you expect? A first step in a theory application assignment is to make certain you understand the theory! You should be able to state the theory (the author's main argument) in a sentence or two. Those taking sociological theory classes, in particular, you need to be aware that theories are constituted by more than causal relationships.
Using smaller units) than the causal of analysis: macro-level theories refer to society- or group-level causes and processes; micro-level theories address individual-level causes and conditions: these are parameters or boundaries specified by the theorist that identify the types of empirical phenomena to which the theory tions: most theories begin by assuming certain "facts. Sometimes they can only be inferred: when this is the case, be clear about that in your y understanding all the parts of a theory helps you ensure that you are applying the theory correctly to your case. For example, you can ask whether your case fits the theory's assumptions and scope conditions. Most importantly, however, you should single out the main argument or point (usually the causal relationship and mechanism) of the theory. Students often go astray here by latching onto an inconsequential or less important part of the theory reading, showing the relationship to their case, and then assuming they have fully applied the evidence to make your application papers involve making a claim or argument based on theory, supported by empirical evidence. 3] there are a few common problems that students encounter while writing these types of assignments: unsubstantiated claims/generalizations; "voice" issues or lack of attribution; excessive summarization/insufficient analysis.
Common problem seen in theory application assignments is failing to substantiate claims, or making a statement that is not backed up with evidence or details ("proof"). You may also want to be careful about making authoritative (conclusive) claims about broad social phenomena based on a single case addition to un- or under-substantiated claims, another problem that students often encounter when writing these types of papers is lack of clarity regarding "voice," or whose ideas they are presenting. They spend the majority of their papers simply summarizing (regurgitating the details) of a case—much like a book report. One way to avoid this is to remember that theory indicates which details (or variables) of a case are most relevant, and to focus your discussion on those aspects. You might do this by stating an assumption of marxist theory, such as "man's ideas come from his material conditions," and then summarizing evidence from your case on that point. You could organize the details of the case into paragraphs and start each paragraph with an analytical sentence about how the theory relates to different aspects of the theory application papers require that you choose your own case (an empirical phenomenon, trend, situation, etc.
Ask you to apply conflict theory to explain some aspect of globalization described in an article). The uw libraries make your job easy: on the front page of the library website (), in the left hand corner you will see a list of options under the heading "find it" that allows you to go directly to databases, specific online journals, newspapers, etc. For example, if you are choosing a historical case, you might want to access newspaper articles. 2] a cautionary note about critiquing theories: no social theory explains all cases, so avoid claiming that a single case "disproves" a theory, or that a single case "proves" a theory correct. Moreover, if you choose a case that disconfirms a theory, you should be careful that the case falls within the scope conditions (see above) of the given theory. For example, if a theorist specifies that her argument pertains to economic transactions, it would not be a fair critique to say the theory doesn't explain dynamics within a family.
4] if your instructor does not want you to use the first-person, you could write, "this paper argues…" return to facultycore facultyemeritus facultyadjuncts & affiliatespostdocs & visitorsstaffgraduate studentsjob market candidatesalumnialumni newssubmit an updateprograms & coursesundergraduateadvisingapplying to sociologycurrent majorspracticumhonors programinternshipsstudy abroadcareer planningundergraduate blogsociology writing centerspecial programsgraduateprogram overviewadmissionsfaculty advisingrecent ph. Dissertationsnitty gritty manualresources for graduate studentsthe graduate school at uwcourse offeringsgraduationgraduation faqstudent resourcesresearchresearch specializationsworking groupspublicationsprojects & grantsdissertationsundergraduate research opportunitiesaffiliated centersnews & eventsrecent newsbook cornernewslettercalendarresourcesadvisingawards and fellowshipscampus resourcescareer planninghealth and wellnesssociology writing centerintranetaboutabout the departmentfrom the chairdiversity statementlocating the departmentstay connectedsupport uscontact boundless for washington | for the university of of psychology contact us university / school of psychology / writing guides / writing a theoretical article (essay). School1st year2nd & 3rd yeargdphonoursmsc or phddcpcoachinghealthprizes & scholarshipscareer g a theoretical article (essay)writing a psychological reportgeneral psychology writing rules & common mistakesappropriate sources for psychological writingapa referencing rules & common g a theoretical article (essay). A psychological l psychology writing rules & common riate sources for psychological referencing rules & common tical article (essay) structure - rules and common are all fairly familiar with the basic layout of essays, so we'll keep this section fairly short. Often the author will present an original theory of their own, showing how their new theory links in with previous theories and atively, the author may critically assess existing theories, identifying flaws or arguing for the superiority of one theory over another. This is often done through examining a theory's internal consistency and evaluating the level of empirical support for the theory (i.
