Role of Theory in Research

1. Quantitative and Qualitative
Research Methods
The roles of theory in agribusiness quantitative
research, classification of theory
KULWA MANG’ANA
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+255 715 900 190

2. Outline
 Definitions of ‘theory’.
 The dynamic relationship between theory
and research.
 Classification of Theory: Deductive and
inductive theory

3. Definitions of Theory
 In the Collins dictionary the word “theory” is defined as
a formal idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain
something.
 Theory can be defined as “a formal logical explanation of some
events that includes predictions of how things relate to one
another” (Zikmund, Babin, Carr, & Griffin (2012.
 Kerlinger’s (1979) definition of a theory is still valid today. He
said, a theory is “a set of interrelated constructs (variables),
definitions, and propositions that presents a systematic view of
phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with the
purpose of explaining natural phenomena” (p. 64).
 In this definition, a theory is an interrelated set of constructs (or
variables) formed into propositions, or hypotheses, that specify
the relationship among variables (typically in terms of
magnitude or direction). A theory might appear in a research
study as an argument, a discussion, or a rationale, and it helps to
explain (or predict) phenomena that occur in the world.

4. The dynamic relationship between theory
and research
Theory and research are interrelated in the following
ways:
 Theory frames what we look at, how we think and look
at it.
 It provides basic concepts and directs us to the
important questions.
 It suggests ways for us to make sense of research data.
 Theory enables researchers to connect a single study to
the immense base of knowledge to which other
researchers contribute.
 It helps a researcher see the forest instead of just a single
tree.
 Theory increases a researcher’s awareness of
interconnections and of the broader significance of data.

5. The dynamic relationship between theory and
research
 Theory allows the researcher to make links between
the abstract and the concrete, the theoretical and the
empirical, thought statements and observational
statements etc.
 There is a two-way relationship between theory and
research. theory informs our understanding of
issues, which, in turn, assists us in making research
decisions and making sense of the world.
 Theory is not fixed; it is provisional, open to
revision and grows into more accurate and
comprehensive explanations about the make-up and
operation of the social world

6. The dynamic relationship between theory and
research
 Theory guide data analysis at all stages, beginning
with the planning of the analysis, and ending at the
interpretation of results. In the planning stages of a
study, paying close attention to theory forces the
researcher to make assumptions transparent.
 Theory can also guide the researcher in choosing the
form of the statistical models i.e. theory should
inform the data analyst when choosing the form of
the statistical model to use in examining results.
 Theory makes the most significant progress by
interacting with research findings (empirical data).

7. Classification…..
Deductive theory
 In a deductive approach, researchers use theory to guide
the design of a study and the interpretation of results.
As researchers continue to conduct empirical research in
testing a theory, they develop confidence that some
parts of it are true. Researchers may modify some
propositions of a theory or reject them if several well-
conducted studies have negative findings.
 A theory’s core propositions and central tenets are more
difficult to test and are refuted less often. In a slow
process, researchers may decide to abandon or change a
theory as the evidence against it mounts over time and
cannot be logically reconciled.

8. Inductive Theory
 Inductive theorising begins with a few
assumptions and broad orienting concepts.
Theory develops from the ground up as the
researchers gather and analyse the data.
Theory emerges slowly, concept by concept,
and proposition by proposition, in a specific
area. Over time, the concepts and empirical
generalisations emerge and mature. Soon,
relationships become visible and researchers
weave knowledge from different studies
into more abstract theory.

9. In quantitative studies……..
 Researchers uses theory deductively and places
it toward the beginning of the proposal for a
study. With the objective of testing or verifying a
theory rather than developing it, the researcher
advances a theory, collects data to test it, and
reflects on its confirmation or disconfirmation by
the results.
 The theory becomes a framework for the entire
study, an organizing model for the research
questions or hypotheses and for the data
collection procedure.

10. References
 Creswell, J. W. (2008). Research Design: Qualitative,
Quantitative, and Mixed-Method Approaches. Sage
Publications
 Neuman, W.L. (1997). Social Research methods. Qualitative
and quantitative approaches. Boston, London Toronto: Allyn
& Bacon.
 Zikmund, W.G., Babin, J., Carr, J. & Griffin, M. (2012)
“Business Research Methods: with Qualtrics Printed
Access Card” Cengage Learning

11. Thank You