Session 06: Building a Theory, Part II

Topics

Why should anyone believe your answer to your research question?

1. Characteristics of research propositions and hypotheses.

2. Develop a plausible answer to your research question.

3. Develop a "crucial" proposition that juxtaposes two plausible answers.

4. Identify the assumptions: domain, time, space where proposition holds.

5. State a few hypotheses that derive from your proposition.

Video Clips

• Illustration of a Theory

• Theory Construction Elements

  • Propositions & Hypotheses

• Theory Justification, Part 1

• Theory Justification, Part 2

Reading

• Supplementary Readings

  • • Bacharach, “Organization theories: Some criteria for evaluation,” AMR 1989.

• • Stinchcombe, "Constructing Social Theories," New York: Harcourt, 1968, chpt. 2, pp 15-56

  • Corley & Gioia, “Building Theory about Theory Building,” AMR, 2011.

Notes

• • Class slides on Theory Construction and Theory Justification.

• Example of a good report Adrianto (2021).

Exercise

• Peer group workshop reviewing one-another’s theories/arguments. Based on peer feedback in class, revise your paper and submit it by due date.

Submit

• • Theory report with revisions of problem/question section.

  • Mark (with pen) the revisions you made in your paper from last draft.

  • Attach your "old" problem report with my assessment (so I can remember what I said).

  • Place Evaluation Form 2 on the cover page.

  • Based on peer feedback in class, revise your paper.

Submit your questions/comments about video lectures and readings for Session 6, Theory Construction