CHAPTER 12

Watcha Gonna

Do?

Chapter 12 – Watcha Gonna Do?

Chapter Outline• Introduction• The Setup• Everybody is a Theorist!• Who is Best Equipped to Build Theory?• Next Steps for You to Consider• Desired Response to this Book

The Setup

• In our experience, all applied disciplines have

smart, articulate academics in their ranks.

• In our experience, all applied disciplines have

smart, articulate practitioners in their ranks.

Everybody is a Theorist

Who is Best Equipped to Build Theory?Characteristics of successful theory scholars include the following:

• Focused: have an intense interest in a particular realm

• Humble: realize that they don’t know everything

• Curious: are driven to know how something works

• Agile: have a mind that can look from various angles and

are able to change their thinking

• Toolbox: use a rich and varied selection of inquiry methods

• Respectful: express genuine openness to input from practitioners and

scholars

• Patient: accept the reality of extended time required to fulfill the theory quest

Next Steps for You to Consider

Three possible next steps for those who think they may

be interested in engaging in theory building:

• audit existing theory,

• test an existing theory, or

• build a new theory.

Desired Response to the Book

• The authors declared that Theory Building in Applied

Disciplines has no rival theory development methods

book.

• They hope you agree and have the personal motivation

to begin adding sound theory to an important realm of your

interest.