July 11…The Roles of Theory in Educational Research
What light have the authors in
Anyon shed on the issue of how theory should operate in our empirical research
projects? Are there any new confusions that have sprung up in the wake of
reading this book?
Allison on Anyon & Theory: Anyon derives theory as a "coherent structure of interrelated concepts" (p. 3). Further, the contemplation and application of theory are used to "understand and explain discursive and social phenomena" (p.3). Theory also models how "discourse and social systems work and can be worked upon" (p.3). Anyon states, the goal of theory, "should help us deepen our research process and raise the level of our studies' meanings"(p. 5). Thus extending and enriching empirical work. Anyon's book encourages the process of considering, applying, critiquing, reconstructing, creating, and combing theory-until the result explains the empirical content or leads to new facts (p.5). Anyon's approach is helpful because singular theories may not encompass or explain all the interrelated complexities and concepts inherent in educational research.
Tiesha: Reading the chapter I was assigned and looking through the other chapters of the book, I get the impression that Anyon believes that theory should guide the entire research project and not just be an after thought. In chapter 5 in particular, the author used theory (Bourdieu's social and cultural capital theory) to guide her research questions, to shape how she interacted with her participants, to shape her research design and how she presented her results. I think this is what should be done, however I have not seen it done this way in Sport Management. When researchers draw on a theory, they might inform their research questions based on it, and bring it back up in the discussion, but that is usually it.
I agree with Tiesha that theory should guide the entire research project. Based on the Anyon chapters, it also seems that the researcher can look for new theories at any point during the process to help explain what he or she is finding. In chapter 1, the researcher brings in several theories at various points during her research. I found it helpful to read the personal reflections to fully understand why and how the researchers chose the theories they did.
I agree with both Tiesha and Sam. In addition, from the chapter I read and looking at the others, Anyon has showed me that theory is critical; however, it does not have to be a perfect fit. This was shown to me in Chapter Four with the "theorizing back" approach and rhizome metaphor. These perspectives were at odds with Tuck's cultural value of looking back and honoring your roots. However, she reconciled this issue by discussing the importance of emphasis. Her work was more focused on relationships rather than cause (or looking back to the roots), but she did not neglect the latter point. Instead, she just did not place as much emphasis on it. This example showed me that the theories and approaches you use in research do not necessarily have to be a perfect fit to be successful. Theories are not always rigid structures that cannot be adapted. This relieved some nervousness I have about choosing the right theory to use in my research.
Rachel: There were some new theories introduced in this book that I had to familiarize my self such as "theorizing back" or the rhizome theory. But each of these was used as as method of investigating and unpacking relationships and power imbalances in a critical theory manner. Reading Anyon and our discussions in class have really shed light on the process of using multiple theories together to best implement your project and design your question.
Allison on Anyon & Theory: Anyon derives theory as a "coherent structure of interrelated concepts" (p. 3). Further, the contemplation and application of theory are used to "understand and explain discursive and social phenomena" (p.3). Theory also models how "discourse and social systems work and can be worked upon" (p.3). Anyon states, the goal of theory, "should help us deepen our research process and raise the level of our studies' meanings"(p. 5). Thus extending and enriching empirical work.
ReplyDeleteAnyon's book encourages the process of considering, applying, critiquing, reconstructing, creating, and combing theory-until the result explains the empirical content or leads to new facts (p.5). Anyon's approach is helpful because singular theories may not encompass or explain all the interrelated complexities and concepts inherent in educational research.
Tiesha: Reading the chapter I was assigned and looking through the other chapters of the book, I get the impression that Anyon believes that theory should guide the entire research project and not just be an after thought. In chapter 5 in particular, the author used theory (Bourdieu's social and cultural capital theory) to guide her research questions, to shape how she interacted with her participants, to shape her research design and how she presented her results. I think this is what should be done, however I have not seen it done this way in Sport Management. When researchers draw on a theory, they might inform their research questions based on it, and bring it back up in the discussion, but that is usually it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tiesha that theory should guide the entire research project. Based on the Anyon chapters, it also seems that the researcher can look for new theories at any point during the process to help explain what he or she is finding. In chapter 1, the researcher brings in several theories at various points during her research. I found it helpful to read the personal reflections to fully understand why and how the researchers chose the theories they did.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Tiesha and Sam. In addition, from the chapter I read and looking at the others, Anyon has showed me that theory is critical; however, it does not have to be a perfect fit. This was shown to me in Chapter Four with the "theorizing back" approach and rhizome metaphor. These perspectives were at odds with Tuck's cultural value of looking back and honoring your roots. However, she reconciled this issue by discussing the importance of emphasis. Her work was more focused on relationships rather than cause (or looking back to the roots), but she did not neglect the latter point. Instead, she just did not place as much emphasis on it. This example showed me that the theories and approaches you use in research do not necessarily have to be a perfect fit to be successful. Theories are not always rigid structures that cannot be adapted. This relieved some nervousness I have about choosing the right theory to use in my research.
ReplyDeleteRachel: There were some new theories introduced in this book that I had to familiarize my self such as "theorizing back" or the rhizome theory. But each of these was used as as method of investigating and unpacking relationships and power imbalances in a critical theory manner. Reading Anyon and our discussions in class have really shed light on the process of using multiple theories together to best implement your project and design your question.
ReplyDelete