Steps in Theory Building

• Defining Terms

• Classifying

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Defining Terms: (what is to observed)

• wording must be clear

• terms must be used consistently

terms refer to concepts. Concepts are either nominal (present the attributes iof a term or concept) or operational (indicate the context in which the concept is employed)

primitive terms and theoretical terms(also called operational constructs) a construct is a concept that represents relationships among things and/or events and their properties.

Beauchamp’s Process of Building Theory

• Formulation of definitions

• Classification of relevant information into homogeneous categories

• Utilization of inductive and deductive processes

• Making of inferences and predictions and testing them

• Development of models

• Sub-theory formation