Marketing91

  • HOME
  • Marketing Concepts
    • Marketing
      • Retail Tutorials
      • Market Research
      • Customer Management
    • Strategy
    • Management
    • Advertising
    • Branding
    • Business
    • Finance
    • Sales
    • Career Guidance
  • Digital Concepts
    • Blogging
    • Search Engine Optimization
    • Social Media Marketing
    • Facebook Marketing
    • Internet Marketing
    • Ecommerce
  • Brands
    • Marketing Mix of Brands
    • SWOT analysis of Brands
    • Brands Strategy Analysis
    • Business Models
    • Brand Competitors
    • TOP 10
  • Courses
Home » Careers » Theory – Definition, Types, Steps, and Characteristics

Theory – Definition, Types, Steps, and Characteristics

July 11, 2021 By Hitesh Bhasin Tagged With: Careers

A plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena – Merriam Webster

The theory is often referred to as a hypothesis that is assumed for understanding an investigation or an argument. It can be speculation or conjecture or an unproved assumption to prove a point.

A theory is a principle that is formed to explain things, phenomena, or a group of facts already validated by data.

Table of Contents

  • Understanding the Term Theory
  • Types of Theory
  • Characteristics of Theory
  • Various Steps of Theory
    • 1. Observation
    • 2. Description
    • 3. Hypothesis
    • 4. Reading
    • 5. Research
    • 6. Accepting, rejecting, or modifying a hypothesis
    • 7. Understanding why
  • Conclusion

Understanding the Term Theory

A theory is believed to be a speculative idea that tells how things should be done. It is also referred to as a set of organized and accepted beliefs that can act as a guiding force for analysis. In short, the term theory is a method that helps a person to provide an answer and understand a concept or a principle.

The word why is significant as it helps to increase knowledge. Why is the world round in shape, why does the sun shines at daytime and the moon at night, why the sky is blue, and why is the snow-white are some questions that are asked? Theory helps to provide an answer to questions related to why.

If you are looking for an answer to what is the role of theory in research, then let me tell you that theory increases knowledge about a subject or topic and realigns opinions and thoughts to facilitate better learning and growth. This theoretical framework in research is a genuine attempt to explain and help to understand the world around us in simple terms.

Types of Theory

The important types of theory in sociology are

  • Theory as classics
  • Theory as criticism
  • Taxonomic theory
  • Scientific theory

All these types of theories are used as a guiding force in research. The most popular of them is the scientific theory that is often used by social scientists to prove a point.

Characteristics of Theory

Characteristics of theory

The characteristics of the theory are as follows-

  • One of the essential characteristics of a theory is to explain the answer to the question of why to offer a better understanding of the concept or idea
  • A good theory is accurate within its domain, and the result should be a consequence of experiments, observations, and descriptions
  • The theory comes into existence when several ideas are integrated and are accepted by a wider community. It should be consistent with other accepted theories of the same nature
  • The theory is not factually based at all the times
  • A theory is a confirmed and verified hypothesis
  • An essential characteristic of a theory is that finding facts is more important to it than reaching goals
  • If you are looking for an essential characteristic of the theory, then it must have a broad scope
  • It must also have authenticity
  • Another important characteristic of a theory is that it should be simple to avoid any confusion
  • A theory evaluates and explains current events in a correct manner
  • An important characteristic of a theory is that it can analyze even past events
  • It must be able to forecast future events

Various Steps of Theory

Various steps of theory

Scientists and academics develop the modern theory with the help of a series of steps where one step follows the next in sequence. It includes

1. Observation

If you are looking for ways to understand what is a theory, then an essential step in the process is observation, which is considered an effective method of research.

In theory, the term observation is used for both professional and personal experience. It encourages more extensive reading so that one can understand the fact that observation is generally the effect and not the cause.

2. Description

The next step in the process of the theory is the description, which signifies what appears to be occurring at that point. If you are looking for ways to understand what is the theory, then an essential step in the process is the description.

The term described as the name suggests offers a surface view to felicitate better understanding. Observation and, later, its simple depiction are essential steps in the process of theory.

3. Hypothesis

If you are looking for ways to understand what is the theory, then an essential step in the process is the hypothesis. The literal meaning of the term hypothesis is an assumption. It explores the answer to the question of why did it happen.

4. Reading

If you are looking for ways to understand what is the theory, then an important step in the process is reading. It is important to read from various sources to gain information.

The researcher undertakes considerable research to gain an understanding so that they can discover and fill gaps in the existing knowledge. It allows placing useful data and information in context.

5. Research

One of the important steps related to what is theory is research. It is conducted to explore questions and test the hypothesis that has happened. For a social researcher, experimentation of any kind becomes a tad difficult.

He uses various research tools to investigate and understand the answers related to the research questions. For natural scientists, the term research includes scientific experimentation in a controlled manner.

These are repeated again and again and must offer the same results every time to be included as a part of the theory.

6. Accepting, rejecting, or modifying a hypothesis

If you are looking for ways to understand what is the theory, then an important step in the process after the research is accepting, rejecting, or modifying a hypothesis. For the social researcher, there might not be any firm conclusions as the research often leads to the exploration of further questions and more research.

The possibility of a definite answer is very slim. The research findings have to be discussed with the broader community before they can be accepted. Other academics and researchers with similar interests may wish to carry out a similar type of experiment.

The wider community looks at the research journals, academic materials, and related articles and then debates and reviews it. The research work can be accepted, rejected, or modified as per the need of the hour before publication.

7. Understanding why

Theories tend to lose their meaning or need modification to adapt to changing times. Additional information comes into light that can have a significant impact on the existing theory.

Gaining an understanding of the question of why it is essential at every stage as it helps to come to terms with the concept. If you are looking for ways to understand what is the theory, then an important step in the process is understanding why and making changes to suit the changing times in society.

Conclusion

The theory is often referred to as guidelines that help the researcher to move in a specific direction. It works as an explanation to clarify a particular set of phenomena. If you are looking for a definition of theory by scholars, then Kenneth R Miller, a biologist, has rightly referred to theory as

A theory doesn’t mean a hunch or a guess. A theory is a system of explanations that ties together a whole bunch of facts. It not only explains those facts but predicts what you ought to find from other observations and experiments. (Quote-unquote)

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Email Share on WhatsApp
Digiaide Marketing and Digital Marketing Courses

Related posts:

  1. Understanding the 9 Theories of Learning for Learners
  2. Cognitive Load Theory – Definition, Meaning, Types and Application
  3. How to Write a Dissertation Methodology in Five Steps
  4. 18 Different Types Of Criticism
  5. Bank Interview: 12 Common Bank Interview Questions and their Answers
  6. How To Write An Outline (Explained with Steps)
  7. 10 Sales Interview Questions With Answers
  8. 16 Different Types Of Essay
  9. Role-Playing: Definition, Objectives and Importance
  10. How To Write A Case Study in 7 Steps (Complete Guide)

What Do You Want To Learn About? (Start Here)

  1. Marketing Hub
  2. Management Hub
  3. Marketing Strategy
  4. Advertising Hub
  5. Branding Hub
  6. Market Research
  7. Small Business Marketing
  8. Sales and Selling
  9. Marketing Careers
  10. Customer Management
  11. Top 10 Lists
  1. Internet Marketing
  2. Blogging
  3. Search Engine optimization
  4. E-commerce
  5. Facebook Marketing
  6. Social Media Marketing
  7. Business Model of Brands
  8. Marketing Mix of Brands
  9. Brand Competitors
  10. Strategy of Brands
  11. SWOT of Brands
GET DAILY MARKETING UPDATES

About Hitesh Bhasin

I love writing about the latest in marketing & advertising. I am a serial entrepreneur & I created Marketing91 because I wanted my readers to stay ahead in this hectic business world.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Recent Posts
  • Books of Accounts – Definition, Formats and Types
  • Capital Reserves – Definition, Example and Exceptions
  • Book Value Formula – Definition and Calculation
  • Cash-and-Carry Wholesaler – Definition and Features
  • Cash Accounting – Definition, Example, Pros and Cons
Advertisement

Marketing91

MORE INFO

  • About Marketing91
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • ISO 9001:2015 Certified

LEARNING SERIES

  • What is Communications
  • Types of Communication

WE WRITE ON

  • Marketing
  • Small Business
  • Management
  • Internet Marketing
[email protected]

Copyright © 2022 Marketing91 All Rights Reserved