“A theory is a set of systematically interrelated constructs and propositions intended to explain and predict a phenomenon or behavior of interest, within certain boundary conditions and assumptions” (Bhattacherjee, A. 2012). It is a collection of multiple constructs and propositions where each proposition connects two or more constructs.
Models represent a system or a part of it to enable studying the same in terms of its working, its response to external events, the events that it triggers and represent a phenomenon. While theory explains a phenomenon, a model represents a phenomenon.
Theory or Model building can be through two approaches – Deduction and Induction. In deductive approach, certain premises are first identified based on logic and theoretical basis about the phenomenon and then a conclusion is drawn through logical reasoning assuming the premises are correct. Hence, correctness of the theory or model is dependent on the correctness of the premises. In inductive approach, observations are used to come up with conclusions about the phenomenon. In induction approach, the conclusions need not necessarily be correct whereas in deduction approach the conclusions are more likely to be correct as they are based on logic or existing theories. Both these approaches go together in identifying preliminary conclusions, followed by premises formulation, establishment of relationship between variables and testing of these in the development or refinement of a model or theory.
Attributes of a good theory
- Logical consistency: The theoretical constructs, propositions, boundary conditions, and assumptions should be logically consistent with each other.
- Explanatory power: This denotes the amount (How much?) of the reality the theory explains.
- Falsifiability: The theory should be constructed such that it is possible to empirically refute it through empirical observations. Theories can never be proven but only disproven.
- Parsimony: By adding more variables the explainability of a complex social phenomenon will increase. However theories should minimize the number of variables used to explain the phenomenon. Parsimonious theories have higher degrees of freedom with which they can be more generalized to other contexts and settings.
Dr. Selvaraj Vadivelu 