Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
Scientific Theories: Uses all four functions, description, explanation, prediction, control
Interpretive Theories: Just uses Description, Explanation, more definitional, how can we expand
this?
Criteria for Evaluating Social Scientific Theory
-Accuracy
-Does the theory correctly explain and predict how communication works?
-Does scholarly research support the theory?
-Practicality
-How well can the theory be used to address real-world communication issues?
-Does it help us control what happens to create change?
-Consistency
-What is the quality of explanation? Does the theory make sense, logical?
-Internal consistency: Are the ideas of the theory logically built on one
another?
-External Consistency: Is the theory consistent with other widely
accepted theories?
-Succinctness (Parsimony)
-Is the theory described as simply as possible, given its scope?
-Compare how much of communication is covered by the theory vs. how many
concepts and relationships are involved
-Acuity
-The ability of a theory to provide insight into an otherwise intricate issue-the
“aha!” factor
-Heuristic Value
-The extent to which a theory is used, especially scholarly testing, extension, and
application
-Related to all other criteria
(When scholars test a theory, it generates respect)