WHAT IS A THEORY? HOW AND WHEN IS A THEORY ADVANCED

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MEANING OF THEORY

Theory like any other concept in management or social science is faced with the problem of generally acceptable definitions. This is as a result of the fact that different writers view it from different perspective.

Theory can be defined as a set of interrelated of concepts and proposition which presented a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variable, with the aim of explain and predicting the phenomena. It can also be defined as a set of systematic, generalized statements, summarizing or joining together a number of propositions into a unified whole, logical structure.

In another definition, theory is a set of related constructs, preposition which is worked in a logical manner with a view to establish relations among variable with the aim of describing and predicting the phenomena.

However, theory can be empirical thus deals with facts, qualities and relationship thereby amenable to empirical

Measurement and verification the subject to hypothesis testing. Theory can be normative in which value judgments, wrong and good, thus subject to hypothesis testing but are treated by referring them to norms of what is right, good which differs from individual to individual or society.

According to Stoner and Freedman (1992) a theory is a Coherent group of assumption put forth to explain the relationship between two or more observable facts which can be used to provide as sound basis for predicting future events.

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WHAT IS A THEORY? HOW AND WHEN IS A THEORY ADVANCED

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