Samenvatting Contemporary Theories
A theory→ system of statements targeted at describing, explaining and predicting a
real-world phenomenon
Consists of→ constructs and propositions (relationships between constructs) that
presents a logical, systematic and coherent explanation of the real-world phenomenon within
certain boundaries
Good theory is:
● Explicit
● Measurable
● Generalizable
● Falsifiable
Scientific thinking→ variables (example intelligence and IQ score)
● Is observable directly (manifest)
● Is empirically measurable
● Is a representation of an abstract construct (latent)
Scientific thinking→ hypothesis (expectancy IQ score and grades)
● States (expected) relationships between variables
● Is empirically testable
● Is stated in a falsifiable form
,Scientific thinking→ construct
● Is an abstract conceptual entity
● Is inferred from observable actions or states of phenomena
● Needs an operational definition to become measurable
Scientific thinking→ proposition (increased student intelligence increases achievement)
● Is a relationship between constructs
● Stated in declarative form (involving knowledge)
● Must be falsifiable
● Explicitly describes constructs
● Typically introduces causality
BUT→ More than one means of representation for theory
● Box-and-arrow diagrams/tables/prototypes
● Mathematical formulas/symbolic logic/simply words
→
● Different representation might help ‘’mature’’ the theory
● Evidence and reasoning will help any form of theory to become meaningful
● Not every mean is equally suited for types of theory
, Design’s basic rationale
● Scientific insight→ used as input to build better solutions
→ As an input or as a result of problem solving
● Problem solving→ ‘’learning by doing’’ and ‘’trial and error’’
→ Helpful for ‘’ill-defined’’ problems
Traditional behavioral research→ scientist should not interfere and not alter events to
build natural good explanatory and predictive theory
Design and action research→ scientist consciously intervenes to natural setting and alters
course of events to study effect of interventions and creates respective artifacts
A theory→ system of statements targeted at describing, explaining and predicting a
real-world phenomenon
Consists of→ constructs and propositions (relationships between constructs) that
presents a logical, systematic and coherent explanation of the real-world phenomenon within
certain boundaries
Good theory is:
● Explicit
● Measurable
● Generalizable
● Falsifiable
Scientific thinking→ variables (example intelligence and IQ score)
● Is observable directly (manifest)
● Is empirically measurable
● Is a representation of an abstract construct (latent)
Scientific thinking→ hypothesis (expectancy IQ score and grades)
● States (expected) relationships between variables
● Is empirically testable
● Is stated in a falsifiable form
,Scientific thinking→ construct
● Is an abstract conceptual entity
● Is inferred from observable actions or states of phenomena
● Needs an operational definition to become measurable
Scientific thinking→ proposition (increased student intelligence increases achievement)
● Is a relationship between constructs
● Stated in declarative form (involving knowledge)
● Must be falsifiable
● Explicitly describes constructs
● Typically introduces causality
BUT→ More than one means of representation for theory
● Box-and-arrow diagrams/tables/prototypes
● Mathematical formulas/symbolic logic/simply words
→
● Different representation might help ‘’mature’’ the theory
● Evidence and reasoning will help any form of theory to become meaningful
● Not every mean is equally suited for types of theory
, Design’s basic rationale
● Scientific insight→ used as input to build better solutions
→ As an input or as a result of problem solving
● Problem solving→ ‘’learning by doing’’ and ‘’trial and error’’
→ Helpful for ‘’ill-defined’’ problems
Traditional behavioral research→ scientist should not interfere and not alter events to
build natural good explanatory and predictive theory
Design and action research→ scientist consciously intervenes to natural setting and alters
course of events to study effect of interventions and creates respective artifacts
