A topic in research methodology
Academic research can be considered to be ‘theory directed’ (although some forms of practitioner research are more action or context directed.) Much research aims either to test out the application of existing theory in a particular context (confirmatory research) or to build up new theory to explain what is not well understood (discovery research).
Theory has been described by Strauss (one of the ‘discoverers‘ of grounded theory, GT) and Corbin as:
“A set of well-developed concepts related through statements of relationship, which together constitute an integrated framework that can be used to explain or predict phenomena”.
Strauss & Corbin, 1998: 15
The other ‘discover’ of GT, Glaser has suggested that:
“…a theory should be able to explain what happened, predict what will happen and interpret what is happening in an area of substantive or formal enquiry.”
Glaser, 1978: 4
(Taber, 2013: 43)
Sources cited:
- Glaser, Barney G. (1978) Theoretical Sensitivity: Advances in the Methodology of Grounded Theory, California: The Sociology Press, 1978.
- Strauss, Anselm & Corbin, Juliet (1998) Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory, Thousand Oaks,California: SAGE Publications.
My introduction to educational research:
Taber, K. S. (2013). Classroom-based Research and Evidence-based Practice: An introduction (2nd ed.). London: Sage.
