Locating Theories
Ten Strategies for
Locating Theories
Video: 11 min. 15 sec.
Strategy 1:
In-Depth Knowledge of the Topic
Strategy 2:
Search Terms
Theory in the Title and/or Abstract
Sample Titles
Terminology When Discusssing Theories
Theory???
Theoretical lens
Theoretical perspective
Paradigm
Orienting lens
Foundational theory
Theoretical framework
Theory base
Theory rationale
Conceptual framework
Grounded theory
No theory
Critical reflexive theory
Strategy 3:
Truncating theor*
Theories???
Theoretical lens
Theoretical perspective
Paradigm
Orienting lens
Foundational theory
Theoretical framework
Theory base
Theory rationale
Conceptual framework
Grounded theory
No theory
Critical reflexive theory
Truncation
Strategy 4:
Locating Synonyms and Alternative Terms
Theories???
Theoretical lens
Theoretical perspective
Paradigm
Orienting lens
Foundational theory
Theoretical framework
Theory base
Theory rationale
Conceptual framework
Grounded theory
No theory
Critical reflexive theory
Using the Boolean OR
theor* OR paradigm* OR “orienting lens”
theor* OR paradigm* OR “orienting lens”
theor* OR paradigm* OR “orienting lens”
theor* OR paradigm* OR “orienting lens”
theor* OR paradigm* OR “orienting lens”
Using the Boolean OR
theor* OR paradigm* OR “orienting lens”
theor* OR paradigm* OR “orienting lens”
theor*
theor* OR paradigm* OR “orienting lens”
paradigm* OR “orienting lens” OR “conceptual framework”
Strategy 5:
Boolean AND for Additional Concepts
theor* OR paradigm* OR “orienting lens”
Strategy
6:
Strategy 6:
Search the Text of the Document
Search the Text of the Document
All Fields + Text
Finding Theories in Dissertations
Finding Theories in Dissertations
Use the FIND Option
Try theor -- Do not include the asterisk here.
Searching for Specific Terms
Theories in E-Books
Theories in E-Books
Searching for Your Term Within E-Books
Keyword Matches
Strategy 7:
Subject-Specific Databases
• Business, management, leadership, organizational
behavior – ABI/Inform, Business Source Complete,
Emerald
• Computers and technology – ACM, IEEE,
ScienceDirect
• Education – ERIC
• Medicine – Medline
• Nursing and allied health -- CINAHL
• Psychology – PsycINFO
• Speech language pathology – Linguistics and
Language Behavior
Other disciplines
Example: Problem Patrons
Discipline-Specific Databases
CINAHL
PsycINFO
Strategy 8:
Other Types of Sources
Theories Discussed in Encyclopedia Articles
Transformational Leadership
Theories
Social Theory Database
Strategy 9:
Locating Theories Used in Qualitative and Quantitative Research
The use of a theory varies between qualitative
and quantitative methods:
 Quantitative methods: Theories are presented then tested to explain, predict, or establish
causal relations between variables.
 Qualitative methods: Theories are presented to
serve as a “lens” which then guides what is
looked at and how questions are developed.
Theories can also be generated as seen in
grounded theory approaches.
Terminology
Quantitative Terms
Qualitative Terms
Theoretical lens
Theoretical perspective
Paradigm
Orienting lens
Foundational theory
Theoretical framework
Theory base
Theory rationale
Conceptual framework
Grounded theory
No theory
Critical reflexive theory
Research Methods
Quantitative Research
Experiments
Quasiexperiments
Theoretical perspective
Qualitative Research
Case studies
Theoretical lens
Paradigm
Orienting lens
Theoretical framework
Theory base
Foundational theory
Ethnography
Theory rationale
Grounded theory
Phenomenology
Surveys
Conceptual framework
Narrative
studies
No theory
Critical reflexive theory
Correlational studies
Sage Research Methods Online
Strategy 10:
There should always be a citation to help you track down the theory used.
Using Citations
Reference Citation
Reference Citation
Thanks