2. Agenda Foundational Questions about Research Elements of Theory Sources and Evaluation of Definitions Meta-Theories

3. Foundations of Research: The Key Questions Is communication a science? Which is preferable, theory first research or data first research?

4. Elements of Theory Theory defined: a body of interrelated principles that explain or predict Requirements Importance of theories

5. Agenda Foundational Questions about Research Elements of Theory Sources and Evaluation of Definitions Meta-Theories

6. Components of Theory THEORY

7. Components of Theory THEORY Abstract Calculus

8. Components of Theory THEORY Abstract Calculus Theoretic Constructs

9. Components of Theory THEORY Abstract Calculus Theoretic Constructs Rules of Correspondence

10. Agenda Foundational Questions about Research Elements of Theory Sources and Evaluation of Definitions Meta-Theories

11. Types of Definitions Conceptual Operational

12. Relations Among Definitions Conceptual Definition < Constructs Operational Definitions < Selection of Variables Conceptual Definition < Constructs Operational Definitions < Selection of Variables

13. Definition Sources Articles? Dictionaries? Textbooks? Conceptual Literature Reviews?

14. Standards For Definitions

15. Agenda Foundational Questions about Research Elements of Theory Sources and Evaluation of Definitions Meta-Theories

16. Major Meta Theory Schools: The Positivists Positivists: generalizations apart from observable reality considered unacceptable Logical Positivism: statements not describing facts are metaphysical and meaningless Logical Atomism: statements also are meaningful if they are composed of simpler statements that describe empirical facts Logical Empiricism: metaphysical statements acceptable if they promote understanding empirical statements

17. Major Meta Theory Schools: The Phenomenologists Phenomenology: immersion of oneself in the flow of experience

18. Major Meta Theory Schools: The Constructivists Constructivism: reality constructed by the individual’s encounter with the world and the individual’s set of personal constructs or expectations

19. See you on Thursday