© Ane Venter
Study Unit 1
The Role of Theory
*Lecture notes are in blue
1|Page
, © Ane Venter
The Structure of Theories
○ A Theory – a highly organised statement of the basic assumptions and logically interrelated assertions
about the phenomenon / class of phenomena under study.
- Attempt to describe, predict, explain, and control the subject matter.
- Assertions in theories should go beyond place and time.
Assumptions and Assertions – the building blocks of theories
○ Theory’s assumptions are beyond testing – Theory’s core belief system.
- Taken as “given” and either accepted or rejected.
- Not generally subject to testing / modification.
○ Once assumptions are stated, understood, and accepted → next task is to consider assertions.
○ Theoretical assertions / relationships they imply must be testable.
- If it’s not testable = more theology / ideology
Strongly held beliefs that aren’t subject to testing / critical review.
○ Many theorists refer to assertions as propositions.
- Generalized statements about relationships – usually between two or more things.
○ Verifiable propositions that receive consistent and strong support are called Laws.
○ Propositions still subject to study / for which body of research is less compelling = Hypothesis.
- Hypothesis = general relational statement about 2 facts.
Strategies for the Scientific Enterprise
○ Theory can be the starting point for deductive research (theory testing studies).
- Deductive researchers – base work on past theorising that leads to new research questions /
testable hypotheses.
○ Theory can be the ending point for inductive research (theory building studies).
- Inductive researchers – allow data to “speak for themselves” – providing findings that may emerge
as a theory.
○ Researchers often adopt a single mode of observation:
1. Qualitative data:
Non-numerical examinations and interpretations of observations intended to reveal the object of
study’s essence / basic nature.
2. Quantitative data:
Numerical examinations and manipulations of observations intended to express the object of
study in terms of accurate numerical equivalents.
The Goals of Theory – at least 4 separate and equally important goals for crime theories.
1. Theory as description:
- Statements embodied in the theory mesh with what we know about crime and criminals.
- Must have high levels of accuracy, reliability, and validity.
- Descriptive question is framed in a “What is...?” format.
2|Page
Study Unit 1
The Role of Theory
*Lecture notes are in blue
1|Page
, © Ane Venter
The Structure of Theories
○ A Theory – a highly organised statement of the basic assumptions and logically interrelated assertions
about the phenomenon / class of phenomena under study.
- Attempt to describe, predict, explain, and control the subject matter.
- Assertions in theories should go beyond place and time.
Assumptions and Assertions – the building blocks of theories
○ Theory’s assumptions are beyond testing – Theory’s core belief system.
- Taken as “given” and either accepted or rejected.
- Not generally subject to testing / modification.
○ Once assumptions are stated, understood, and accepted → next task is to consider assertions.
○ Theoretical assertions / relationships they imply must be testable.
- If it’s not testable = more theology / ideology
Strongly held beliefs that aren’t subject to testing / critical review.
○ Many theorists refer to assertions as propositions.
- Generalized statements about relationships – usually between two or more things.
○ Verifiable propositions that receive consistent and strong support are called Laws.
○ Propositions still subject to study / for which body of research is less compelling = Hypothesis.
- Hypothesis = general relational statement about 2 facts.
Strategies for the Scientific Enterprise
○ Theory can be the starting point for deductive research (theory testing studies).
- Deductive researchers – base work on past theorising that leads to new research questions /
testable hypotheses.
○ Theory can be the ending point for inductive research (theory building studies).
- Inductive researchers – allow data to “speak for themselves” – providing findings that may emerge
as a theory.
○ Researchers often adopt a single mode of observation:
1. Qualitative data:
Non-numerical examinations and interpretations of observations intended to reveal the object of
study’s essence / basic nature.
2. Quantitative data:
Numerical examinations and manipulations of observations intended to express the object of
study in terms of accurate numerical equivalents.
The Goals of Theory – at least 4 separate and equally important goals for crime theories.
1. Theory as description:
- Statements embodied in the theory mesh with what we know about crime and criminals.
- Must have high levels of accuracy, reliability, and validity.
- Descriptive question is framed in a “What is...?” format.
2|Page
