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"Nothing is so practical as a good theory." (Kurt Lewin). This week we examine what a theory is, along with related concepts of models, hypotheses, propositions and assumptions. We look at the characteristics of good theories, and the role of theory in shaping research design.
We also exercise our theory-building muscles. We use the Lave and March approach to creating theory.
Come to class ready to present the results of these two homework assignments:
competing theories (email me this one)
Both of these should be executed individually (i.e., don't work in teams).
Finally, reread the paper by Jim March on exploration and exploitation. The beginning of the paper is more important than the end -- make sure you really understand the simulation.
Other topics I will bring up:
formal theory
deductive and inductive processes
the variance and process model distinction
Primary Readings
Lave, Charles A., and James G. March. 1993(1975). An Introduction to Models in the Social Sciences. New York: University Press of America. [pdf of chap 2&3] [may also want to try google books]
Qualities of a good theory [html]
Handout on how to theorize [html]
Sutton, R. I., & Staw, B. M. (1995). What theory is not. Administrative Science Quarterly, 40(3), 371-384. [pdf] (S&S really nail this one)
March, J. G. (1991). Exploration and exploitation in organizational learning. Organization Science, 2(1), 71-87. [pdf]
Of possible interest
Festinger, L., & Carlsmith, J. M. (1959). Cognitive consequences of forced compliance. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 58(2), 203. [html]. This paper derives a non-obvious implication of cognitive dissonance theory and then does a nice experimental test.
Mark L. Mitchell & Janina M. Jolley. 2007. Advantages of Using Theory to Generate Ideas [html]
Is the theory of evolution circular? Read a creationist's account [html]
"This isn't right. It's not even wrong.."
-- Wolfgang Pauli, on a paper he was asked to comment on
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