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Theories, Theorists, and the Role of Theory in Research

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1. in 250 words analysis of the role of theory in research.
Instructions
2. in at least 1250 words about Theories and Theorists.

Theory is a natural extension of the philosophy of science, and theoretical frameworks underpin any and every research design and study. Familiarize yourself with the main theories and theorists in your field so that you may become more conversant in your discipline's theoretical foundations and research approaches; and the A Primer in Theory Construction and the important theories in your field. What are they? Identify a least two of the origin of the theories, their authors or developers, and the source material where you can find these theories; or identify two key theories in your field. Identify the theorist(s) and sources of the theories (key articles or books) in your discipline. Describe the basic tenets of these theories. Analyze and assess the relationship between the two theories you have found. Explain why these theories are so important to your discipline and how they relate to the research that maybe interested in doing. Include a reference list for the five "classics" and influential works you have found. Analyze and assess the relationship between two theories that you have found. Does one expand upon or reference the other? Identify at least five "classics," or influential works, in your discipline. Why are they important? How much are they referenced today?

Some Resources you can use is the Sage Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods ONLINE and The SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods and The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods:

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Solution Summary

The solution provides information, assistance and advise in tackling the task (see above) of tackling the role of theory in research. Resources are listed for further exploration of the topic. An outline is also suggested.

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Hello Charlene,
Thank you for your patience. As you know, my role is to provide you guidance in terms of completing this task. You have already been given the requirements, all you have to do is complete this to achieve what is required. I suggest using this simple outline:

1. Theory in Research
a. Scientific Method - 100 words
b. Theory and research applications - 150 words
2. Theory & Theorists
a. Grand/Classical (2 theorists, 400 words)
b. Behavioral (as above)
c. Humanist (as above)
3. Conclusion on theoretical relationship: purpose & knowledge - 100 words

This should provide you with what you need. As you know, you can further expand by adding categories. But the above I believe are the main theoretical area of research in psychology from which others stem from. Just let me know if you need further clarification. All the best.

Sincerely,
AE 105878/Xenia Jones
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Applying Theory in Research

Psychology is the science of the mind. It explores the phenomenon of mental functions and behavior so as to be able to understand why people as groups and individuals think, behave and act the way they do. It is both an academic discipline and an applied discipline so that its main division is known as such - Experimental Psychology and Clinical Psychology. The experimental practice is academic wherein theorists and experts expound on the paradigms of the science, exploring human thought and behavior through research. Clinical psychology on the other hand is the application of the theories formed from research so that what is established as bodies of knowledge - processes like intervention, behavior management and treatment strategies - is used by clinical psychologists to help people with mental, emotional, behavioral and general psychological issues, establishing applied psychology as a scientific practice utilized to better human life.

Now, as a science, it means that it follows the scientific principles whether as experimental or clinical psychology. This means the application of the scientific form of inquiry following this simple outline: questions > formation of hypothesis > design of research > application of the design (in fieldwork or in clinical experiments) > gathering of data > analysis > testing of results> provision of conclusion (validation/invalidation of the hypothesis). In science, it is important that the variables gathered are random. Additionally, the design of the research must be so that it can be redone step by step by other experts and still yield the same results. This is the manner by which science assigns validity and reliability to the research - at least, for most natural and social sciences. Theories are used as perspectives in research. When an expert undertakes a research, he or she takes on a perspective. For example in psychology, an expert studying the phenomenon of learning can use a learning theory as a perspective - a basis for his or her own research design. The National Institutes of Health (n.d.) explains how theory is ...

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