Theory in Social Research

Abstract

In this chapter, the importance and link between social research and theory are discussed. Social research is taken as the sociological understanding of connections—connections between action, experience, and change—and it is the major vehicle for realizing these connections. The debate on using theory in any scope of social research is being deliberated by various scholars with many emphasizing the merits of using theory in social research. They argue that an appropriate theory clarifies the findings a researcher has uncovered in the study. Without a theory, the researcher could face difficulties in streamlining the study or the researcher may overlook particular phenomena or events from within the study. Thus, the researcher would be unable to relate the variables in the study. A theorist always tries to view things from his/her perspective. Upon reflection, the theorist may develop a refined framework which then becomes the intensive framework, hereby, called a theory. This phenomenon may not necessarily be agreed upon by every social scientist as can be illustrated by cases where, after using a theory, researchers have modified such a theory to suit their outcomes. The theory used in social research supports and facilitates the researcher to raise fundamental questions and facts which could serve as the common core or body of knowledge. From the basis of given facts and explanations, it can be claimed that the theory used in social research has a pivotal role to align the study. In social research, a researcher should make the matter of selecting a theory seriously as a good theory produces a better piece of research work. This chapter elaborates on the various aspects of using theory in social research. Several diagrams are used to make explanations clear.