The connections between phenomena to explain why, how and under what circumstances acts, events, structures and thoughts is about the concept of theory. Scientific theories are in attempt to describe the causal logic between cause and event. When a theory is tested and accepted by a majority of experts in a specific field, it can be seem as true. If there is already a commonly established theory, it can take a long time to convince people that a new theory is valid and should replace the old theory.
Though there are varied views on what theory is, one specific theory could be more suitable in one context than in another context. Theory can be confirmed or established by observation or experiments which can be supported by diagrams, variables, references and hypotheses. Moreover, theory requires context and logical reasoning, which should be more generalized. Sometimes scientific theories can also be viewed as scientific models, which is a logical framework in attempt to represent the reality, similar to the way that a map is a graphical model that represents the territory of a city or country. In this regard, theories are a specific category of models which fulfill the necessary criteria.
Some people claim that theories whose subject matter consists not in empirical data, but rather in ideas in the realm of philosophical theories as contrasted with scientific theories. Some of the elementary theorems of a philosophical theory are statements whose truth cannot necessarily be scientifically tested through empirical observation
There are five theory types in information systems research: Analysis, Explanation, Prediction, Explanation and prediction(EP) and design and action. The paper I choose is The Benefits of Facebook “Friends:” Social Capital and College Students’. by Nicole B. Ellison et al (2007) from the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. The study basically examines the relationship between use of Facebook and the formation of social capital. The paper explores a dimension that assesses one's ability to stay connected with members online, which explains a strong association between use of Facebook being to bridging social capital. However, the paper only addresses the problem without providing the insightful method to solve the problem.
Hi! Thanks for such an informative post! In the beginning you say that people call theory a hypothesis. However, I would argue here. Hypothesis is a way of finding a theory, like a complement part of it, but in my opinion it cannot be equated. Hypothesis are often denied or changed through the whole research process, so they can only build up to the theory, but it's not directly a theory. Furthermore, I really liked your explanation of a theory as "specific category of models which fulfill the necessary criteria". I also grasped the feeling that theories are models in which we "put" scientific data or information.
ReplyDeleteSalut,
ReplyDeleteYou are pointing some interesting information, however I disagree with you on the fact that if a theory is already existing and commonly accepted, if a new theory comes in play, and if it invalidates completely the one is place them at least in the science community, they will change their mind about their vision of things instantly. But I still believe that old theory can still help you understand things that the new wouldn't be able. We learn as well when we are in the wrong.
But I agree that if we are speaking about the common people, then the time before they think different will take at least one generation or ever more depending on how it was implemented. (#Religion)
I totally agree on your last point, and I think those are the limitation of EP paper. They state a problem, you know this problem exist, but you just have no idea how to deal with it now. They studied the question, they should be able to come up with at least a beginning of an answer to the problem they are raising.
Thank you for your reflection !
Hi! I really enjoyed reading your reflection, it is well written and easy to understand.
ReplyDeleteTo elaborate on your explanation of a theory, I also think that there is a link between a 'hypotheses' and ‘theory’, it was confusing for me too to find out what the exact difference was, but as I understand it now- a hypotheses becomes a theory after it has been tested several times to be true. So first a hypothesis is an explanation of a certain phenomena, and after experiments observations etc. and the same explanation is given, then it can be called a theory.
So I don't think that a theory is the same as a hypotheses, it's rather something that theory is build on.
Your explanation and given examples are very interesting!
Your reflection shows that there are quite many definitions of what the concept theory is. Good job! However, in the first part of your text you mention that theory is the same as hypothesis which I have to disagree with. As I understand it, hypotheses are assumptions and unproven claims which later on can turn into a theory when it is confirmed and verified. In other words, you form a hypothesis, try it, and if it proves successful you have formed a theory.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people (even me before this theme) use 'theory' in the wrong context. Just to make it simple: if there is any statement, not tested by experiment or empirical observations, it's a hypothesis. Only when we verify it, it becomes the theory.
ReplyDeleteAbout the EP theory: as far as I understood, it doesn't need to provide the tools for the any issue solution, it just gives the prognosis what happens next. On the other hand, any theory has its limitations as the research that tries to cover all the questions may turn into the whole book or 'encyclopedia'.
I agree that it is a bit strange that you in a research have the aim to confirm or investigate a problem without explaining the impact of it or having any suggestion to a solution. Though I have not read your selected paper so I can not tell how their approach to the phenomenon are.
ReplyDeleteA theory is built upon tested and verified assumptions and hypotheses until it is proven wrong. While the testing to get the result is a crucial part in a research.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you theories is something that does not exist itself. You wrote that it can take a long time to convince people that a new theory is valid and should replace the old theory. Its true, and perhaps it’s something good that it take some time to convince people that a new theory is true, for example if you find a cure for a disease you don’t want it to go to fast. Just look at KI and Macchiarini. Still, theories can be rejected or proven, like hypotheses. Theories are foundation for scientific knowledge and provide information for practical use.
Anyway thanks for good reflections and conclusions!
Hi! Thank you for an interesting post. However, in the first part of your post you write that a theory is the same as a hypotheses, which I would disagree with. A theory can be defined in many ways and differs a lot depending on the academic field, but I would argue that a hypotheses is more a statement or an assumption, and it doesn't have to be tested or proven.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you when saying that a theory is something that doesn't exist by itself, it is created by us and can be disproven by us. And I also agree with what you wrote about it taking a very long time for a new theory to replace an old one. It does take a very long time to convince people of something new or different.
Hi
ReplyDeleteit seems to be as if we’ve gotten totally different understandings of theory. I wouldn’t agree to say that theory is a practice, it’s rather the study (which is using theory) that is the practice. I perceive theory as fundamental ideas that have some empirical data to ”back i up” so to speak, and therefore are temporarily conceived as truths (and in turn lays the foundation for new research). I believe hypothesis in contrast are those ideas that haven’t been studied and/or haven’t been verified/falsified in order to become theories.
I agree that all those concept are blurry enough to mix up, but that is also why I believe it is important to try distinguishing them in discussions.
It’s interesting that you bring up philosophical theories. As you say, philosophical ideas cannot be proven with empirical data, but that also makes me wonder about the scientific validity in relation to todays society.
You keep an interesting discussion and raise some good questions.