On theory

The noun ‘theory’ and the adjective ‘theoretical’ derived thereof, with which we construct phrases like ‘theoretical framework’, ‘theoretical discussion’ or ‘theoretical concept’, pervade everyday talk in social science texts and classrooms. Yet the necessary conceptual precision is sadly missing fr...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Leal Carretero, Fernando
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2013
País:México
Institución:UNIVERSIDAD DE GUADALAJARA
Repositorio:Espiral Estudios sobre Estado y Sociedad
Idioma:español
OAI Identifier:oai:espiral.cucsh.udg.mx:article/357
Acceso en línea:http://espiral.cucsh.udg.mx/index.php/EEES/article/view/357
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Teoría
investigación
marco teórico
resolución de problemas
Theory
methodology
theoretical framework
theoretical model
argumentation
Descripción
Sumario:The noun ‘theory’ and the adjective ‘theoretical’ derived thereof, with which we construct phrases like ‘theoretical framework’, ‘theoretical discussion’ or ‘theoretical concept’, pervade everyday talk in social science texts and classrooms. Yet the necessary conceptual precision is sadly missing from that talk, at least in the author’s experience. Students in particular suffer from this state of affairs. The present paper has been written as a contribution to alleviate the problem, first of all by making the term ‘theory’ as precise as possible, and then by briefly describing the misunderstandings and the faults of exposition consequent upon conceptual imprecision.