Theme 3: Research and theory (after)

Zulfiya Tarazova

Theory and Method for Media Technology

Theme 3: Research and theory ( Reflections after seminar)

At the seminar we divided in the groups and discussed definition of “theory”. What does it mean – theory ? Which type of theory exists in the science? First of all, we considered difference between terms "knowledge" and "theory". We explained that "knowledge" is a part of "theory", because "theory" is wider term than "knowledge". Theory is a contemplative and rational type of abstract or generalizing thinking, or the results of such thinking. Depending on the context, the results might for example include generalized explanations of how nature works. Consequently, "knowledge" in that case is only a unit of measurement of theory. This is because theory have based on facts, evidence and conclusions that also we can consider like a "knowledge".

In the groups we told about papers which should read at home. Students have described the main ideas of their papers and have chosen which type of theory could be used in these papers. According to Gregor, we have a different viewing on theories information systems and we can divide theories in the groups. There are five types of theory: 1) Analysis; 2) Explanation 3) Prediction 4) Explanation and prediction (EP) 5) Design and action.

So, for example, if we consider the article which I have read to the seminar (Brad J. Bushman, Patrick E. Jamieson, Ilana Weitz, Daniel Romer (2013) Gun Violence Trends in Movies, Pediatrics, Vol 132, 1014-1019) we will see that the author - professor Brad Bushman uses during research the first and the second types of theory. He analyses situation through quantitative research methods (Researchers have used trained coders, which identified the presence of violence in each 5-minute film segment for one-half of the top 30 films since 1950 and the presence of guns in violent segments since 1985) and then tries to explain the reason of increasing level of criminality among children.

In my group we also came to the conclusion that it is important to researcher to know theoretical knowledge about the existing theories. This is because it helps to researcher to understand in which kind of direction he will go in his research. For example, if we consider theories of media we will see that today a lot of Science Schools have existed. There are The Frankfurt School, School of Semiotics, group of Cultural studies and other. When you choose for yourself what ideas are closer for you, it will be easier to start your science work.