Theory
Research is closely related to theory. Theory provides a conceptual model for research. Research in turn contributes to theory. It is important to distinguish the modern scientific usage of the word theory from other meanings the word may have. In common parlance, theory is frequently identified with speculations, what is theoretical is unrealistic, visionary. This is a wrong notion; theory is the accumulated stored facts. It may define as a set of systematically interrelated concepts, definitions and propositions that are advanced to explain and predict phenomena (facts).
Arnold Rose defines theory as “an integrated body of definitions, assumptions and general propositions covering a given subject matter from which a comprehensive and consistent set of specific and testable principles can be deducted logically.”
Fact
The concept fact has several related meanings but all imply a discrete contemporary or historical existent phenomenon. The word “fact” derives from the Latin factum, and was first used in English with the same meaning: a thing done or performed a meaning now obsolete. The common usage of “something that has really occurred or is the case” dates from the middle of the sixteenth century.
Fact refers to a piece of information that is based on observable and verifiable evidence. In social research, facts are used to describe or explain social phenomena, human behaviour, or societal trends. These facts form the foundation for constructing theories, making inferences and drawing conclusions about various aspects of human society and behaviour. Facts may be checked by reason, experiment, personal experience, or may be argued from authority.
According to Goode and Hatt, fact is “an empirically verifiable observation.”
Theory and Facts
Theory and facts are interrelated. Facts are empirically verifiable observation and theories establish relationship between facts and order them in meaningful way. Theory summaries facts in to empirical generalizations; and it predict facts. Facts in turn, help to initiate theories; facts lead to the reformulation of an existing theory and modify them.
Relation Between Theory and Facts
The terms fact and theory are words with different meanings. Although both are used in many different fields of studies, they still manage to have their own distinct definitions that separate one from the other. One particular field, wherein both terms are commonly used is in science.
In the scientific world, facts (or scientific facts) are observations about the world around us. For example, it’s bright outside. It can pertain to any objective and real phenomenon may it be the falling of the ball after being thrown upwards or other simple observable occurrences. In this regard, the fact is that the ball will fall. More so, if this test is being done repeatedly under a controlled environment that cancels all unnecessary variables the phenomenon would have become a very obvious and undeniable fact. It is considered a fact because it will remain as true even after several centuries unless there is a more rigid and precise way of measuring a certain phenomenon.
On the contrary, theories in science are likened to the explanations to what has been observed. For example, when the sun is out, it tends to make it bright outside. It is relatively greater in weight to what a hypothesis is. If a hypothesis (an intelligent guess) is the first base of formulating a scientific law, then theories are placed at the second base. These are the statements that are assumed to be true (because they seem so) even if there are no hundred percent concrete evidence. Nevertheless, theories are always presented to be true even if the claims in the said theories are mere speculations or a general agreement between a significant number of experts. Moreover, theories are the statements that often undergo a series of tests to nullify the claims made by those who propose them.
A good example between fact and theory, is when a report will state that a certain cyclone killed thousands in a particular state in India because of the reckless mass evacuation spearheaded by the local officials. In this aspect, the fact is that many were killed by the cyclone while the theory is the reason behind the death of these people. Was it only because of the haphazard evacuation plan or was it also because of the intensity of the cyclone among many other reasons? Hence, facts are really the real deal while theories are still unclear although presumed to be true.
Role of Theory in Research
Theory helps research in several useful ways. Following are the major contributions of theory to research.
1. Theory as Orientation: A theoretical system provides a focused orientation within a field, narrowing down the range of facts to study. It guides the selection of pertinent facts for examination, making the subject manageable and abstract from reality..
2. Theory as Conceptualization and Classification: Science is organized by a structure of concepts, which are used to study major processes and objects. These terms form the “facts of science” and change as the science develops. To organize knowledge, a system must be imposed upon observable facts. Sociology has developed elaborate conceptual schemata, focusing on important phenomena like invasion, succession, marginal man, status, role, class system, socialization, mobility, and social distance.
3. Theory provides conceptual model: Theory provides a conceptual framework for a study. It helps a researcher to develop conceptual structure for the proper formulation of the selected problems.
4. Theory summarizes: Theory summarizes what is already known about the object of study. From time to time in any science there will be changes in the structure of relationship between propositions. In each area, scientist move from older systems of theory towards a more acceptable new system.
5. Theory states universal law: Theory states a general uniformity beyond the immediate observation. For example, a person sitting under mango tree, observe mangoes falling on ground. But beyond this observation there is a general law of gravitation.
6. Theory Prediction Facts: Theory helps to predict further facts. For example, we may observe low birth rate in modern societies. From this, we can predict that if modern way of life is introduced into a traditional rural or tribal community, its birth rate would decline.
7. Theory fills gap in knowledge: Theory also points to areas which have not been explored. The gaps in knowledge are brought to light through the questions arising out of theory.
Thus, from the above discussion, theory is a framework for observation and understanding, shaping our perceptions and understanding. It links abstract and concrete phenomena, explains and predicts variable relationships, and organizes knowledge about the world. It guides research and organizes ideas, allowing researchers to make connections between abstract and concrete concepts.
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