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Methodology of Social Research

note 3.7 Theory
the use of the word ‘theory ‘ is quiet common in the social sciences and have also highlighted its
importance. But when we try to understand the meaning of the word (theory), we are confronted by
the various meanings and definitions which are not only contradictory to each other but also create
doubts. theory, theoretical orientation, theoretical frame of reference, theoretical model etc., are the
various words used by the various social researchers. sometimes they are used as synonyms and in
some places they give opposite meanings.
theory is a generalization expressed by the help of concepts. theoretical orientation means the
formation or origin of any views from a particular type of literature e.g., Marxists originate from
the works of Marx who was the originator of a particular type of political thought.theoretical frame
of reference refers to a particular statement that comes from another science as its base e.g., Many
theories of astrology have their base in astronomy. similarly theoretical sketch is the detailed form of
any theory. Generally all the theories are one of the avail- links of various concepts, They also define
the limits of work.
research design theory represents this aspect of theories. Models are actually not the substitute word
for theories but sometimes small models are put together and included in the list of theories.
Percy s. Colen, has thrown light, in his book ‘Modern social theory’, on theories which clears all
our doubts related to theory and the importance of theory is also cleared out. He says that the word
theory is like an open cheque whose value depends on the usage done by the user and his methods
of usage. Cohen holds the view that when any statement is called a theory then it is placed not just
as mere facts but more than that. the importance of statement as a theory lies in the value of it which
should be more than any statement. facts are those statements only which we believe have happened.
sometimes due to some doubts we assume and co-relate some incidences with any theory. But Cohen
has cleared this point and mentioned that facts are related with a series of incidents. this has been
clarified by this example. E.g., If somebody says that he saw a leaf fall. This is just one statement. If
he had said that he sees often the leaves falling, then he actually clubs or puts together a series of
incidents which is actually a complex fact. But if he would have said that all the leaves fall sometime
or the other compulsorily then it is not a ‘mere fact’ but presents a theory, because what he has said
is not just an incident but represents a theory as talks of ‘all’ the leaves which he has not seen as no
one can inspect all the fallen leaves which are uncountable.
sometimes it is said that some theories are just general facts. But this is not true. every theory can
be well placed little ahead of general facts. similarly, when same thing is said about statements, it is
very clear that they are also not mere statements but little ahead,stand in the category of facts. it is
important to clarify here that though all the theories are more than mere facts, but all the statements
that are in the category of facts cannot be placed in the category of theories. in researches, a hypothesis
is formed on the basis of facts and is just a mere guess that statements are related to the social problems.
this ‘guess’ or ‘hypothesis ’ is not the theory. it is just a guess about particular events or particular
complex of events whose validation and reliability is yet to examined and rechecked. the truth of
any hypothesis is done by various scientific methods and then on their basis, related concepts are
formulated that help in the formation of theories.

3.8 What is Theory?

since time immemorial, human race has marked for the betterment of their races , culture and society.
This ‘linked reflective thought process’ started with the evolution of humans. They continuously
observed, experimented and formed theories on their basis. to save and protect their identity race,
group or nation, all the experience holders name to transfer their knowledge and experiences to the

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