Theories and Hypotheses
Theories and Hypotheses: The Differences and Similarities
Abstract
This paper is an examination of theories and hypotheses, their differences and similarities. The four major types of theories studied are Deductive, Inductive, Grounded and Axiomatic. Each type of theories is introduced and explained. Additionally, a hypothesis is defined in relation to a theory, and the key differences between the two explained. The variables which exist between the theories and the hypotheses is also explored.
Theories and Hypotheses: The Differences and Similarities
At some point in everyone’s life, they have said something that summed up many different pieces of information in their life about one particular subject. They have reached their conclusions, based upon their experiences and formulated it into an idea why something exists or happens. This is called a theory. A theory is an explanation using observed facts as they relate to a particular aspect of life (Hoover, 1992). Theories exist about almost everything, from who killed President Kennedy and are the Freemasons trying to rule the world, all the way to why people in one particular community have a higher rate of criminal activity then another area. The common link between is a fact. President Kennedy was killed, the Freemasons do exist and there are areas with higher criminal activity then others, these are facts, why the circumstances exist that lead to these things is where a theory developed. These theories can include or exclude any data they feel is relevant or irrelevant, but it is important to understand that every piece of data included or excluded is a variable which has the potential to change the outcome of the theory. There are four primary ways theories are developed and presented. A theory can be deductive, inductive, grounded or axiomatic. A hypothesis is born from theory and is an assumption,
Abstract
This paper is an examination of theories and hypotheses, their differences and similarities. The four major types of theories studied are Deductive, Inductive, Grounded and Axiomatic. Each type of theories is introduced and explained. Additionally, a hypothesis is defined in relation to a theory, and the key differences between the two explained. The variables which exist between the theories and the hypotheses is also explored.
Theories and Hypotheses: The Differences and Similarities
At some point in everyone’s life, they have said something that summed up many different pieces of information in their life about one particular subject. They have reached their conclusions, based upon their experiences and formulated it into an idea why something exists or happens. This is called a theory. A theory is an explanation using observed facts as they relate to a particular aspect of life (Hoover, 1992). Theories exist about almost everything, from who killed President Kennedy and are the Freemasons trying to rule the world, all the way to why people in one particular community have a higher rate of criminal activity then another area. The common link between is a fact. President Kennedy was killed, the Freemasons do exist and there are areas with higher criminal activity then others, these are facts, why the circumstances exist that lead to these things is where a theory developed. These theories can include or exclude any data they feel is relevant or irrelevant, but it is important to understand that every piece of data included or excluded is a variable which has the potential to change the outcome of the theory. There are four primary ways theories are developed and presented. A theory can be deductive, inductive, grounded or axiomatic. A hypothesis is born from theory and is an assumption,
References: Bitekhtine, A. (2005). Prospective Case Study Design for Deductive Theory Testing. Academy Of Management Annual Meeting Proceedings, D1-D6 Deduct/Induct. (2013, December 4). Retrieved from http://www.personal.kent.edu/~rmuhamma/Algorithms/MyAlgorithms/DeductInduct.htm Grounded Theory. (2013, December 3). Retrieved from www.methods.manchester.ac.uk/events/whatis/gt.pd Theory and Criminal Justice Research. (2013, December 5). Retrieved from http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~kreynold/ch2.html Hoover, D. (2013, December 3). Retrieved from http://public.econ.duke.edu/~kdh9/Source%20Materials/Research/Quantitative%20Evaluation.pdf