Hypotheses and Theory

‘Theory is a great aid to clarity’ writes DeVellis (2012) when explaining the importance of keeping scale development on track.  A theory may take form of an argument, a discussion or an explanation of an observable fact that takes place in the world (Creswell, 2009). Quantitative research is often aimed at testing theories as an explanation to their questions (Creswell, 2009). Theory in a research study can occupy a whole section in a research proposal and in a dissertation may use multi theoretical outline (Research continuum-learning resources).

‘Hypotheses are drive by theory’ (learning resources) and Creswell (2009) writes that in fact theory is an ‘interrelated set’ of variables that forms into proposals and hypotheses. This then identifies the relationship of the variables. It can be rightly said that there can’t be a hypotheses without a theory and a theory is without a purpose if there is no hypotheses. A hypotheses is ‘testable’ or not: this fact depends upon a valid theory and set definitions (learning resources). Sutton (1995) reports that ‘theory’ can be meaningless if its deterrents like hypotheses are not applied to it. Theory is a strong component of a research study and can be made comprehensive by reading, collecting data from past research about the topic of interest. 

It is crucial to understand that in the relation between theory and hypotheses, a theory must be a ‘testable theory’ (Doc sharing). A testable theory is the one that has concepts pulled from a hypotheses and can be expressed in statistical analysis. According to Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias (2008) there is no one definition of a theory and theories can be classified according to their scope. This is significant in research conducted by social scientists, where they are in agreement that theory is the ‘ultimate goal’ of scientific activities but differing views about meaning of theory.

My area of interest is relevant to the globalization in recent times and to the ideas of cross culture in almost every society. To make the discussion a bit updated, let me share some facts I read about the FIFA soccer world. According to Kresting (2007) the FIFA world cup in 2010 showed major changes from 2006 in forms of xenophobia reduction which was suspected in Germany in 2006. The study concludes that major sports events like the FIFA cup promote tolerance and a wider level of multiculturalism, solidarity. This year in 2014 almost every team playing the in the FIFA cup has players who are either immigrants or originally from a different nation. This shows that not only in the USA, but world over the cross culture concepts are evolving.

My research study aims at understand the effects of being raised in a cross culture, by parents who are immigrants or of religion, ethnicity that is a minority on children. The study will collect data through survey research on the level of success among first generation children of immigrants. We would then compare the data collected to the levels of success of the peers (college age or adults) who originate from a family, culture native to their nation.

References

Creswell, W.J. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

DeVellis, R. F. (2012). Scale Development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Frankfort-Nachmias, C., & Nachmias, D. (2008). Research methods in the social sciences (7th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.

Kersting, N. (2007). Sport and national identity: A Comparison of the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups™. Politikon, 34(3), 277-293.

Laureate Education (2012). The Research Continuum (Walden University, PSYC 6202).

Sutton, R. I., & Staw, B. M. (1995). What theory is not. Administrative science quarterly, 371-384.