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How to Build Social Science Theories
- Pamela J. Shoemaker - Syracuse University, USA
- James William Tankard, Jr. - The University of Texas at Austin, USA
- Dominic L. Lasorsa - The University of Texas at Austin, USA, School of Geography, University Oxford Centre for the Environment
February 2004 | 240 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
As straightforward as its title, How to Build Social Science Theories sidesteps the well-traveled road of theoretical examination by demonstrating how new theories originate and how they are elaborated. Essential reading for students of social science research, this book traces theories from their most rudimentary building blocks (terminology and definitions) through multivariable theoretical statements, models, the role of creativity in theory building, and how theories are used and evaluated.
Preface
Jerald Hage
Foreword
1. Introduction: The Nature of Science
2. Theoretical Concepts: The Building Blocks of Theory
3. Theoretical Statements Relating Two Variables
4. Theoretical and Operational Linkages
5. Theoretical Statements Relating Three Variables
6. Theoretical Statements Relating Four or More Variables
7. Theoretical Models
8. Creativity and Theory Building
9. Using and Evaluating Theory
Appendix A: Guidelines for Preparing Tables and Figures
Appendix B: Acceptable Levels of Measurement for Various Statistics
References
Index
About the Authors
I have examined this book and it has been recommended to the Library for the 2016 dissertation proposal reading list. This book will be an excellent primer to assist students with the development of their MSc theses.
Marketing & Operations, Liverpool University
July 6, 2015
Supplement for graduate research methods class.
Communication Dept, Wake Forest University
March 18, 2013
Well-organized and useful way to present theory construction to my PhD students. The communication-related examples were genral enough that students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines could understand them.
Hospitality Tourism Mgmt Dept, Virginia Polytechnic Institution / State University
October 4, 2010
