In the context of research, a theory is a well-established principle that has been developed to explain, predict, and understand phenomena. Theories are formulated based on repeated observations and can incorporate laws, hypotheses, and facts. They serve as a conceptual base for understanding and analyzing research in various fields, including natural/pure sciences and social sciences.
- Theories explain, predict, and understand natural or social behaviors, events, or phenomena.
- Scientific theories are systems of constructs (concepts) and propositions (relationships between those constructs) that collectively present a logical, systematic, and coherent explanation of a phenomenon of interest within some assumptions and boundary conditions.
- Theoretical frameworks are structures that can hold or support a theory in a research study, introducing and describing the theory that explains why the research problem under study exists.
