Purchase Solution

What makes a theory good? How to evaluate a new theory?

Not what you're looking for?

Ask Custom Question

Please explain what makes a theory a good theory and how you would know if a new and emerging theory was good, including how you would evaluate a new theory. Could you please be specific and provide examples?

Attachments
Purchase this Solution
Solution Summary

Just a brief response (194 words) suitable for a discussion board or to get you thinking in this direction. Clear and practice comments in everyday language. Gives example from article. Not enough materials for a paper length treatment on this topic.

Solution Preview

A good theory has to be testable. In other words, it must be possible to gather data and test the theory and determine if the observations refute the theory. In other words, a theory must exclude certain outcomes and so if those outcomes occur, the theory is disproved. Every genuine ...

Solution provided by:
Carol Sargent, PhD
Education
  • BSc, University of Virginia
  • MSc, University of Virginia
  • PhD, Georgia State University
Recent Feedback
  • "hey just wanted to know if you used 0% for the risk free rate and if you didn't if you could adjust it please and thank you "
  • "Thank, this is more clear to me now."
  • "Awesome job! "
  • "ty"
  • "Great Analysis, thank you so much"
Purchase this Solution
Free BrainMass Quizzes
Key Psychology Theories and their Developers

Match which psychologist developed and/or contributed to which theory.

Brain and behaviour

Reviews areas of the brain involved in specific behaviours. This information is important for introductory psychology courses.

Anxiety Disorders

This quiz is designed to help students gain a better understanding of various types of anxiety disorders.

Childhood Disorders (Axis 1)

This quiz is designed to test one's knowledge on childhood Principle Disorders found in the DSM-IV (1994). This is a good quiz for those who wish to pursue a career in child assessment or child development. Good luck.

Health Psychology

This quiz speaks to the general concepts, themes, and terminology associated with the field of health psychology.

View More Free Quizzes
Related BrainMass Solutions

  • Theory of constraints, throughput contribution,relevant cost

    Thus, it's a good idea to evaluate and compensate workers in installation department on the basis of their productivities. Theory of constraints, throughput contribution, relevant costs: Colorado's engineers

  • Falsifiablility in Psychology and Research Psychology

    A hypothesis makes predictions from a specific theory- a set of concepts used to explain data and make predictions. A good psychological theory is one where the hypothesis has been proven to be true.

  • How does personality theory affect modern times?

    382385 How do we evaluate personality theory, and how does personality theory effect people in modern times?

  • Developmental Theory Applicable to Adult Learning-Erikson

    What is the developmental theory and/or characteristics that closely parallel to an aggressive individual who loves learning and uses education as a mean to progress in life.

  • Charisma: Making Sense of Motivational Leadership

    What is lacking is any new contribution to leadership theory. What about transformation? The dictionary defines transformation as "a complete change, usually into something with an improved appearance or usefulness."

  • Alternative Nursing Model

    Nursing theory will make you a better nurse. But only a good nursing-patient relationship makes you a nurse. So what's the point? That the study of Nursing Theory will only contribute to this model if it results in better patient care. 5.

  • Humanistic theory

    It does not give insight as to how people develop their personal values and what makes them decide on specific goals they would like to achieve.

  • Video Game Violence, Multiple Intelligences

    As you evaluate the article on the basis of your own thoughts and perspectives on the topic, I like how the author clarifies that MI theory is not just a feel good or fluff theory as it "makes no claims about everyone being gifted in at least one of the

  • Organizational structure : key information

    Additionally, you have been tasked to develop and describe a methodology to evaluate the skill level of the group being trained.

View More Related Solutions