Question about theory in proposal

How important is it to base a doc proposal on a theory that's well known? After reading a number of abstracts, I find that while some researchers frame their questions within a certain, well established theory, others do not mention any particular theory.

If I'm not mistaken, those using a qualitative method seem to do their own thing without any reference to popular theories.

I'd like to hear about some of the theories that some of you have used for your doc proposals.

BTW, my own research is in the communication science field. But I hope to base it on theories from the social field.

The working title for my Ph.D. dissertation is:

WHEN THE BIG MEDIA COME TO TOWN:
The Impact of National Media Reporting Tactics on Community Newspapers during Crisis Reporting in the U.S.

I welcome feedback.

Thanks.

Roscoe

 

Isn't proposing a theory, and backing it up with research, the whole point of a doctoral dissertation? Writing a paper on a well known theory seems more like a term paper, or at best, a master's thesis.

 

Roscoe,

Here in Grand Forks, we've certainly had some experience with the phenomenon you'll be exploring. The flood of '97, which has been dubbed as the "flood of the century," brought about a great deal of national media attention. That year, the local paper won a Pullitzer for local reporting.

 

Roscoe - schools may vary on this point. In the DBA program at NSU, you won't get to first base on a dissertation without base theory. For example, I did my dissertation on IT outsourcing. Base theory came from transaction cost and agency theory. I performed an empirical test on three models based on these theories.

It was suggested to us that given the nature of our program (practitioner focused) the idea of developing one's own theory was not likely to be a good direction to go. Quantitative testing of existing models (with extentions) was more reasonable.

Regards - Andy

 

Plumbdog - "Isn't proposing a theory, and backing it up with research, the whole point of a doctoral dissertation? "


My take.........
Cehi- Sometimes you create a new theory, and sometime, you do not. The purpose of a dissertation is to create new knowledge or expand the body of knowledge. Emperical-type dissertations allow you to identify relationships between variables through the statistical analysis of data. Yeah, with this approach, you may establish new theories or concepts that may allow you to make generalizations or inferences. Non-emperical or critical analysis type dissertations allow you to answer research questions through the critical analysis of current theories and logically apply the knowledge of the current theory to a problem area within organizations, government, or other businesses.


Plumbdog - "Writing a paper on a well known theory seems more like a term paper, or at best, a master's thesis."

My take...........
Cehi - This will not be an acceptable comment from most Economics Ph.D holders. Most dissertations in Economics are usually based on performing critical analysis on existing theories and their applications on current market forces rather than creating theories (Don't get me wrong - some new theories are proposed too in this process).

 

Cehi,

I agree that a dissertation does not need a new and world shattering theory. Expantion or analysis of current theories, or application of a theory to a new area certainly qualify as adding to the knowledge of a disipline. However, I think that simply applying common theories to topic which has been extensivly researched does not strike me as an original contribution to a subject.

But I could be wrong, I have been before.

 

Plumbdog

Thanks for your replies.

 

Thanks for the feedback

Andy, Cehi:

Your comments confirm what I've been reading. A while back I requested info on books about research and writing dissertations. You guys here at Degreeinfo gave me a good list.

I ended up purchasing most of the books recommended and have been reading them relentlessly over the last few months. They've proved to be very helpful.

Cory:

Sorry about adding an "e" to your name. Thanks for mentioning your hometown paper. I will certainly contact them as part of my research.

Roscoe

 

Roscoe: " Thanks for the feedback".

Cehi: You are welcome. We are all here in this forum to help each other learn new knowledge or support exisiting knowledge without writing a dissertation (humour). Thank you.

 

Cehi, nice to see humour spelled correctly.

Other correct spellings:

Theatre
Colour
Saviour

And the last letter of the alphabet is 'z' (pronounced zed)

North

 

North: "nice to see humour spelled correctly"


Cehi: Thank you. Even though I completed my undergraduate, graduate, and post graduate degrees in the US, I have been unable to relinquish my original british formal elementary and secondary education language as it relate to spelling and pronounciation ( another humor...). Sometimes, I still forget to exclude the "u" from some words, i.e, humour = humor (another humour). Hey, I wish everyone a happy weekend.

 

Geez, I sat through bouth of the Men In Black mouvies without realizing this!

I would like tou wish everyoune a happy weekend, alsou.




H (is "H" prounounced "huh"?)

 

Well, in your alphabet, anyway.