Question

Examine the science and art of theory development and evaluation.

Answer 1

Theories in the mind are created to fulfill a need. Theories use previous theories as a foundation for new theories, integrate additional concepts, new discoveries or various applications in the previous theory. When researchers findings fail in some aspects they add new variables or delete some variables to fit with their theory. Theory should be evaluated for its usefulness and is it helpful for the future generations. Theories are evaluated based on its testability, utility, internal and external consistency, Accuracy and power of prediction, simplicity and its power of explanation.