CHAPTER 3 General Method of Theory Building in Applied Disciplines by Susan A. Lynham

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 Building Theory—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.