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4 Types of Research Theories

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The Relationship Between Theory And Research
An excerpt from .awcett, J., and Downs, .. (1986). The Relationship of Theory and
Reseach. Norwalk, CT: Appleton Century Crofts.
[.awcett & Downs teach in a School of Nursing and their examples involve topics of interest to nurses. Your humble instructor has modified this excerpt slightly to maintain terminology consistent with the social sciences].

1 The close connection between theory and research was implied in the discussion of their functions. Stated explicitly, the initial impetus for research is the search for theory. Theory development relies on research, and research relies on theory. Brown (1977) characterized the relationship between theory and research as a dialectic, a transaction whereby theory determines what data are to be collected and research findings provide challenges to accepted theories.
2 Research, then, is neither more nor less than the vehicle for theory development. It is the method used to gather the data needed for the theory. This is true whether the purpose of the research is to generate a theory or to test one. When the purpose is theory generation, the phenomenon of interest suggests things to look for. .or example, if a theory of clients’ perceptions of factors influencing their adherence to a nursing care plan were to be generated, one source of data would be clients’ perceptions of why they were willing and able to follow the care plan. Conversely, if the purpose is theory testing, the theory dictates the data to be collected. .or example, if a theory proposes that emotional support provided by spouses is the best predictor of clients’ adherence to nursing care plans, then the data to be collected include the extent of emotional support provided by spouses and the extent to which clients adhere to care plans.

Types of Theory and Research
3 The relationship between

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