Good Theory

Post date: Sep 06, 2017 5:11:12 PM

Identify a theory from the literature that you think is a good one. Come to class prepared to analyze it in terms of Lave and March's criteria, which include:

• • mechanism or process

  • generality

  • truth

  • falsifiability

  • simplicity

  • fertility

  • surprise

It is especially important to think through what the process part of the theory is -- what's the mechanism. Also, think through whether it is a single theory, or a collection of theories that share certain constructs. Does it have specific mechanisms or is it more of a theoretical playground one can play in?