Chapter 3: Theory Building

empirical testing

examining a research hypothesis against reality using data

ladder of abstraction

organization of concepts in sequence from the most concrete and individual to the most general

propositions

statements explaining the logical linkage among certain concepts by asserting a universal connection between concepts

Variables

Anything that may assume different numerical values; the empirical assessment of a concept

Abstract Level

The level of knowledge expressing a concept that exists only as an idea or a quality apart from an object.

empirical level

The level of knowledge that is verifiable by experience or observation.

Deductive reasoning

The logical process of deriving a conclusion about a specific instance based on a known general premise or something known to be true

inductive reasoning

The logical process of establishing a general proposition on the basis of observation of particular facts

Operationalizing

The process of identifying the actual measurement scales to assess the variables of interest.

latent construct

A concept that is not directly observable or measurable, but can be estimated through proxy measures.

Theory

A formal, logical explanation of some events that includes predictions of how things relate to one another.

concept (or construct)

A generalized idea about a class of objects that has been given a name; an abstraction of reality that is the basic unit for theory development.

Scientific Method

A set of prescribed procedures for establishing and connecting theoretical statements about events, for analyzing empirical evidence, and for predicting events yet unknown; techniques or procedures used to analyze empirical evidence in an attempt to confirm or disprove prior conceptions

Hypothesis

Formal statement of an unproven proposition that is empirically testable