Four Types of Theory: Implications for Research in Social Education

Abstract

Abstract The literature contains numerous suggestions for improving educational research. One of the most common is that research should generate, verify or in some other way be grounded in theory. Few studies in social education, however, are clearly theory-relevant, perhaps because training in educational research generally does not include formal study of the structure of theory. Zetterberg (1965) discusses four types of theory in sociology: Theory as classics; Theory as criticism; Taxonomic theory; and Scientific theory. Each of these types has rough parallels in social education and may be used to guide research. Scientific theory, however, is the type most often referred to when social scientists speak of basic or theoretical research.