Definitions of Theory and Theory-Building Related Concepts

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Literature Review
  • What is Theory?
  • Theory vs. Related Concepts
  • Theory and Research
  • Implications of Short-Term Liquidity Theory
• Discussion and Findings

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper aims to explore the nature and types of theory, examining the relationship between theory and research, and identifying theoretical directions for research contribution. It analyzes differing perspectives on defining and building theory, particularly within the context of business and scientific inquiry.

• Defining and classifying different types of theories.
• The relationship between theory and research.
• The characteristics of a "good" theory.
• Contrasting positivist and post-positivist approaches to theory building.
• Application of theory to the measurement of firm liquidity.

Chapter Summaries

Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by posing crucial questions about the role and nature of theory in scientific investigation and business practice. It highlights the ongoing debate about the precise definition of theory and its connection to empirical research, emphasizing the importance of understanding different theoretical perspectives to navigate this complexity. The chapter lays out the paper's structure, promising a review of existing literature on theory, a differentiation of theory from related concepts, an exploration of the theory-research relationship, and a discussion of implications for short-term liquidity theory.

Literature Review: This chapter delves into the existing academic literature on the definition of theory, presenting a range of perspectives and opinions. It introduces three main themes regarding the nature of theory: the concept of minitheories, the essential ingredients of a good theory according to Gelso (2006), and the contrasting positivist and post-positivist paradigms of knowledge creation (Stem, 2007; Goduks, 2012). The chapter explores various definitions of theory, highlighting the contributions of scholars like Gelso, Stem, Henderikus, Wacker, and Corley and Gioia. It discusses the concept of minitheories as components of broader theories, using the example of liquidity ratios theory within financial analysis. The chapter also examines Gelso's (2006) suggested ingredients for a good scientific theory, including descriptive ability, explanatory power, heuristic value, testability, integration, parsimony, clarity, comprehensiveness, and delimitation. Finally, it contrasts the positivist and post-positivist viewpoints on theory, emphasizing the theory-laden nature of observations and the implications for research methodology.

Keywords

Theory, theory-building, minitheories, positivist, post-positivist, research methodology, empirical research, scientific inquiry, business applications, liquidity ratios, financial analysis, model, paradigm, hypothesis.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview

What is the purpose of this document?

This document provides a comprehensive preview of a research paper, including the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It aims to give the reader a thorough understanding of the paper's scope and content before reading the full text.

What topics are covered in the literature review?

The literature review explores various aspects of theory, including its definition, relationship with research, and different approaches to theory building. It examines concepts such as "minitheories," the characteristics of a good theory (according to Gelso, 2006), and contrasting positivist and post-positivist paradigms (Stem, 2007; Goduks, 2012). Key scholars discussed include Gelso, Stem, Henderikus, Wacker, and Corley and Gioia.

What are the key objectives of the research paper?

The paper aims to explore the nature and types of theory, examine the relationship between theory and research, and identify theoretical directions for research contribution. It analyzes differing perspectives on defining and building theory, particularly within the context of business and scientific inquiry. Specific objectives include defining and classifying different types of theories, exploring the theory-research relationship, identifying the characteristics of a "good" theory, contrasting positivist and post-positivist approaches, and applying theory to the measurement of firm liquidity.

What are the main themes explored in the paper?

The paper's key themes revolve around the definition and classification of theories, the connection between theory and research, the criteria for a "good" theory, contrasting theoretical paradigms (positivist and post-positivist), and the application of theoretical frameworks to practical contexts, specifically the measurement of firm liquidity.

What is the structure of the paper?

The paper is structured into an introduction, a literature review, and a discussion and findings section. The introduction sets the stage, outlining the paper's purpose and structure. The literature review delves into existing research on theory, while the discussion and findings section presents the paper's conclusions.

What are the chapter summaries?

The introduction establishes the importance of understanding theory in scientific investigation and business practice and outlines the paper's scope. The literature review examines existing literature on theory, presenting different perspectives and exploring concepts like minitheories, characteristics of a good theory, and contrasting theoretical paradigms.

What are the keywords associated with this paper?

Keywords include: Theory, theory-building, minitheories, positivist, post-positivist, research methodology, empirical research, scientific inquiry, business applications, liquidity ratios, financial analysis, model, paradigm, hypothesis.

What is the significance of the paper's focus on liquidity ratios?

The paper applies theoretical concepts to the measurement of firm liquidity, demonstrating the practical application of theoretical frameworks in a specific business context (financial analysis).

What are the implications of short-term liquidity theory as discussed in the paper?

The preview doesn't detail the specific implications of short-term liquidity theory, but it suggests that this is a topic explored within the broader context of the theory-research relationship and application of theoretical frameworks.