RSE4801
ASSIGNMENT 4 (YEAR MODULE)
DUE: 30 September 2025
Write a 3000-3500 word essay critically evaluating the statement “Theory is the engine of
research.”
INTRODUCTION
The link between theory and research has always been an important topic in academic work.
Theory is often described as the “engine” of research because it gives direction and meaning to
the process. In simple terms, theory is a set of ideas and explanations that help us understand
why things happen the way they do. In research, it guides how questions are asked, how data is
collected, and how results are explained. Without theory, research might still produce
information, but it would not always be clear how that information connects to wider knowledge
or how it can be used to explain or predict events.
At the same time, not all scholars believe that theory must always come first in research. In
some cases, like in grounded theory or exploratory studies, the data comes before the theory.
This means that research can sometimes produce knowledge that later develops into theory
rather than being driven by it from the start. This brings us to the debate: is theory always
necessary, or can research sometimes stand on its own without it?
In this essay, I will critically discuss the idea that “theory is the engine of research.” My main
argument is that theory is very important because it gives structure and depth to research, but
its role can differ depending on the type of research being done. To show this, I will start by
explaining what theory means in research and how it relates to concepts, models, and
hypotheses. I will then look at why theorisation is significant, while also considering arguments
that challenge this view.
By using ideas from key thinkers such as Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn, and Glaser and Strauss,
and examples from different fields like psychology, sociology, and education, I will show that
theory and research work in a cycle. Theory guides research, but research also improves or
changes theory. In the end, I argue that theory is indeed the “engine” of research, not always
, because it comes first, but because it provides the power and framework that keeps research
moving forward.
1. Understanding Theory in Research
To understand whether theory is truly the “engine” of research, it is important to first explain
what theory means. The word “theory” can have slightly different meanings in different fields. In
the natural sciences, a theory usually refers to a tested and widely accepted explanation, such
as Darwin’s theory of evolution or Einstein’s theory of relativity. In the social sciences, theory is
more often used to describe sets of ideas that help explain human behaviour or social patterns,
such as Marxist theory, feminist theory, or symbolic interactionism. Even though these meanings
differ, they share a common idea: theory provides a way of understanding and explaining reality.
Scholars have tried to define theory in simple but useful terms. Kerlinger (1986) explains theory
as “a set of interrelated ideas and statements that show relationships between things, with the
aim of explaining and predicting.” Creswell (2018) also notes that theory acts like a lens through
which researchers look at problems, form questions, and interpret data. In this sense, theory is
not only an explanation but also a guide for research design.
It is also important to see how theory connects to related terms like concepts, models, and
hypotheses. Concepts are the basic building blocks, such as “class” or “gender” in sociology.
Models are simplified versions of reality that help us understand complex issues, often using
diagrams or systems. Hypotheses are statements that can be tested in research, and they
usually come from theory. For example, if a theory suggests that social background affects
academic achievement, a researcher might test this by creating a hypothesis that children from
lower-income families perform differently in school compared to children from higher-income
families.
The connection between theory and research can be seen in two main ways: deductive and
inductive. In deductive research, theory comes first and is used to form hypotheses that can be
tested. For instance, a psychologist might use Bandura’s social learning theory to study how
children copy behaviours they see on television. On the other hand, inductive research does not
start with a theory. Instead, it collects data and then builds theory from what is found. Grounded
theory, developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967), is an example of this approach. Here, theory is
discovered from data rather than being imposed beforehand.
ASSIGNMENT 4 (YEAR MODULE)
DUE: 30 September 2025
Write a 3000-3500 word essay critically evaluating the statement “Theory is the engine of
research.”
INTRODUCTION
The link between theory and research has always been an important topic in academic work.
Theory is often described as the “engine” of research because it gives direction and meaning to
the process. In simple terms, theory is a set of ideas and explanations that help us understand
why things happen the way they do. In research, it guides how questions are asked, how data is
collected, and how results are explained. Without theory, research might still produce
information, but it would not always be clear how that information connects to wider knowledge
or how it can be used to explain or predict events.
At the same time, not all scholars believe that theory must always come first in research. In
some cases, like in grounded theory or exploratory studies, the data comes before the theory.
This means that research can sometimes produce knowledge that later develops into theory
rather than being driven by it from the start. This brings us to the debate: is theory always
necessary, or can research sometimes stand on its own without it?
In this essay, I will critically discuss the idea that “theory is the engine of research.” My main
argument is that theory is very important because it gives structure and depth to research, but
its role can differ depending on the type of research being done. To show this, I will start by
explaining what theory means in research and how it relates to concepts, models, and
hypotheses. I will then look at why theorisation is significant, while also considering arguments
that challenge this view.
By using ideas from key thinkers such as Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn, and Glaser and Strauss,
and examples from different fields like psychology, sociology, and education, I will show that
theory and research work in a cycle. Theory guides research, but research also improves or
changes theory. In the end, I argue that theory is indeed the “engine” of research, not always
, because it comes first, but because it provides the power and framework that keeps research
moving forward.
1. Understanding Theory in Research
To understand whether theory is truly the “engine” of research, it is important to first explain
what theory means. The word “theory” can have slightly different meanings in different fields. In
the natural sciences, a theory usually refers to a tested and widely accepted explanation, such
as Darwin’s theory of evolution or Einstein’s theory of relativity. In the social sciences, theory is
more often used to describe sets of ideas that help explain human behaviour or social patterns,
such as Marxist theory, feminist theory, or symbolic interactionism. Even though these meanings
differ, they share a common idea: theory provides a way of understanding and explaining reality.
Scholars have tried to define theory in simple but useful terms. Kerlinger (1986) explains theory
as “a set of interrelated ideas and statements that show relationships between things, with the
aim of explaining and predicting.” Creswell (2018) also notes that theory acts like a lens through
which researchers look at problems, form questions, and interpret data. In this sense, theory is
not only an explanation but also a guide for research design.
It is also important to see how theory connects to related terms like concepts, models, and
hypotheses. Concepts are the basic building blocks, such as “class” or “gender” in sociology.
Models are simplified versions of reality that help us understand complex issues, often using
diagrams or systems. Hypotheses are statements that can be tested in research, and they
usually come from theory. For example, if a theory suggests that social background affects
academic achievement, a researcher might test this by creating a hypothesis that children from
lower-income families perform differently in school compared to children from higher-income
families.
The connection between theory and research can be seen in two main ways: deductive and
inductive. In deductive research, theory comes first and is used to form hypotheses that can be
tested. For instance, a psychologist might use Bandura’s social learning theory to study how
children copy behaviours they see on television. On the other hand, inductive research does not
start with a theory. Instead, it collects data and then builds theory from what is found. Grounded
theory, developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967), is an example of this approach. Here, theory is
discovered from data rather than being imposed beforehand.
