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Theories are:. Abstractions Constructions Evaluated according to their usefulness not their truthfulness. Two elements of Theories. Concepts Definitions. Traditional Ideal: six concepts. Hypothesis Operationism Control: Measurement, Validity, Reliability Covering Laws Prediction.
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Theories are: • Abstractions • Constructions • Evaluated according to their usefulness not their truthfulness
Two elements of Theories • Concepts • Definitions
Traditional Ideal: six concepts • Hypothesis • Operationism • Control: Measurement, Validity, Reliability • Covering Laws • Prediction
Theories change in 3 ways: • Extension • Intension • Revolution
Differences • The study of differences in theories is called Metatheory: Meta means after
3 major areas of metatheory • Epistemology--nature of knowledge • Ontology--nature of being • Axiology--place of values
Epistemology • Does knowledge exist before experience? • How certain can knowledge be? • Is knowledge in parts or whole?
Two Major Views of Knowledge • Worldview I: empiricist and rationalist • Worldview II: interpretive
Six Criteria for Evaluating Theories • Scope • Appropriateness • Heuristic Value • Validity • Parsimony • Openness