Theory & Theorizing

Why do we need theory?

Why do we need theory? We need to make sense and order data – so that we uncover something we don’t already know How do we know anything? Mind? Senses/experience/observation? Reason/thought - empiricism debate and its development into Dialogue between thought and experience

Perception & Conception “Perception without conception is blind; conception without perception is empty” (Kant)

Developing a Conceptualization and Using Theory What have we learnt? What do we now know/understand that we did not before? Beyond “mere description”

What is theory What is not theory? What is theorization?

What Theory is Not (Sutton & Staw 1995) References Data “data don’t generate theory - only researchers do that” (Mintzberg 1979, 584) Lists of variables/constructs Diagrams Hypotheses or predictions

What is Theory? “A theory tries to make sense of the observable world by ordering the relationships among elements that constitute the theorist’s focus of attention” (Dubin 1976, p.26) It is a network of relationships and patterns; temporal processes the “why”, “how”, “when”, and perhaps “what” a ‘surprise machine’ an account of a social process

Some questions to ask on the way to theory development How? What are the processes? Why? What are the strategies people use in ....? Dimensionality? Tensions? When? Conditions under which .... happens? How can I resolve the contradictions I observe?

The Process of Theorizing (Weick 1995) Abstracting Generalizing Relating Selecting Explaining Synthesizing Idealizing

Sidney Levy on Theorizing Think about the implications of your work Brood Infer Deduce Speculate Project Tell each other While thinking, draw from your own experience (introspect) as well as the literature and your data

Theory - Data spiral Thinking (disciplined imagination, logic) and Observing (data)