CHAPTER 3

General Method of Theory Building in Applied Disciplines

by Susan A. Lynham

Chapter 3 – General Method of Theory

Building in Applied Disciplines

Chapter Outline• Introduction• General Considerations of Theory Building• Toward a General Theory Building

Research Method• Limitations of the General Method• Importance and Challenges of Theory Building• Conclusion

General Considerations of Theory Building

• Research-to-Theory• Theory-to-Research• Theory-Research-Practice Cycle

Toward a General Theory Building Research Method

Limitations of the General Method

These phases of theory building are not so much linear as they are necessary. The process of theory building can begin with any one of these phases and progress in a much Less orderly way than the Graphic model might suggest.

Importance and Challenges of Theory BuildingTheory—and, by association, theory building—acts to improve and protect research and practice in applied disciplines. It does this by providing a means of rigor and relevance for reducing both atheoretical practice (Swanson, 1997) and nonscientific inquiry (Lynham, 2000b).

Conclusion

A common myth associated with theory is that theory is all good and well, but it seldom can be expected to work in the real world. In an applied discipline, however, theory is good precisely because of its utility in practice.