RSE4801 Assignment 4 2025
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 30 September 2025
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
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these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
THEORY AS THE ENGINE OF RESEARCH: A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE
ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THEORISATION IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS
1. INTRODUCTION
In every field of academic inquiry, researchers attempt to understand, explain, and
interpret phenomena that matter to people and the world they live in. Research is not
merely about gathering facts or applying methods; it is a thoughtful process shaped
by the beliefs, values, and frameworks researchers bring to their work. The
statement "Theory is the engine of research" captures this reality. Theory drives
research by giving it purpose, direction, and meaning. It shapes the questions we
ask, how we go about answering them, and how we interpret the findings. Without
theory, research risks becoming an empty technical process, devoid of depth and
purpose. It becomes, as Jackson and Mazzei argue, little more than a repetition of
methods, ignoring the deeper ontological and epistemological foundations of inquiry
(Jackson & Mazzei, 2018).
This essay critically evaluates the importance of theorisation in research. It explains
why theory should be understood as the foundation of all scholarly work, explores
various paradigms and theoretical approaches, and shows how theory provides the
intellectual framework needed for inquiry. It draws on a wide range of academic
sources, from Thomas Kuhn to Patti Lather and Karen Barad, to show how theory
helps researchers move beyond surface-level observation into deeper levels of
analysis, questioning, and engagement. The essay also addresses critiques of
theorisation and reflects on the challenges of applying theory responsibly in an ever-
changing world.
In a world filled with complex problems, researchers cannot afford to work without
theory. Theory not only helps us understand what is, but also opens up the
possibility of imagining what could be. For this reason, theory is not simply an
optional add-on to research. It is, indeed, its driving force.
2. UNDERSTANDING THEORY IN RESEARCH
Theory in research refers to a system of ideas that helps us to explain, understand,
and interpret phenomena. It is not simply an abstract concept detached from practice
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 30 September 2025
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
THEORY AS THE ENGINE OF RESEARCH: A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE
ROLE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THEORISATION IN THE RESEARCH PROCESS
1. INTRODUCTION
In every field of academic inquiry, researchers attempt to understand, explain, and
interpret phenomena that matter to people and the world they live in. Research is not
merely about gathering facts or applying methods; it is a thoughtful process shaped
by the beliefs, values, and frameworks researchers bring to their work. The
statement "Theory is the engine of research" captures this reality. Theory drives
research by giving it purpose, direction, and meaning. It shapes the questions we
ask, how we go about answering them, and how we interpret the findings. Without
theory, research risks becoming an empty technical process, devoid of depth and
purpose. It becomes, as Jackson and Mazzei argue, little more than a repetition of
methods, ignoring the deeper ontological and epistemological foundations of inquiry
(Jackson & Mazzei, 2018).
This essay critically evaluates the importance of theorisation in research. It explains
why theory should be understood as the foundation of all scholarly work, explores
various paradigms and theoretical approaches, and shows how theory provides the
intellectual framework needed for inquiry. It draws on a wide range of academic
sources, from Thomas Kuhn to Patti Lather and Karen Barad, to show how theory
helps researchers move beyond surface-level observation into deeper levels of
analysis, questioning, and engagement. The essay also addresses critiques of
theorisation and reflects on the challenges of applying theory responsibly in an ever-
changing world.
In a world filled with complex problems, researchers cannot afford to work without
theory. Theory not only helps us understand what is, but also opens up the
possibility of imagining what could be. For this reason, theory is not simply an
optional add-on to research. It is, indeed, its driving force.
2. UNDERSTANDING THEORY IN RESEARCH
Theory in research refers to a system of ideas that helps us to explain, understand,
and interpret phenomena. It is not simply an abstract concept detached from practice
