What is Theory?

- Theories are formulated to explain, predict and understand phenomena and in many cases.
- Theory explain how some aspect of human behaviour of performance is organized.
- Compenents of theory are concepts (ideally well defined) and principles.
- Theories specifically/applicable in the field of communication.
- A concept is a symbholic representation of an actual thing - tree, chair, table, computer, distance
- A theory is a related set of concepts and principles
          1) about a phenomenon
          2) the purpose of which is to explain or predict the phenomenon

Theory is important because:
- theory provides concepts to name what we observe and to explain relationships between concepts.
- theory is to justify reimbursement to get funding and support - need to explain what is being done and demonstrate that it works - theory and research
- theory is to enhance the growth of the professional area to indentify the body of knowledge with theories from both within and with out the area of distance learning.

Three stages of theory development :
1) spectulative - attemps to explain what is happening.
2) descriptive - gathers descriptive data to describe what is really happening.
3) constructive - revises old theories and develops new ones based on continuing research.

Theory development process :
1) Theory-practice-theory
2) Practice-research-theory
3) Theory-theory-research/practice

Tips before using a theory

Tips before using a theory :

~ the phenomenon must be REAL 💯%

~ identify the phenomenon as it actually is ✅

~ decide which theory will best explain the phenomenon ( contrast with grounded- theory)❓❓

~ know wether the theory is for mass communication or it’s for other type of communication, organisational communication).  📝📝


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Perbezaan teori, model dan konsep

Difference between theory, model and concept

 • Theory - used to explain thing and is less practical.

                - th is an abstract notion (tanggapan)
                   - concept is a general idea or understanding of something
                   - mental image or geneory explains phenomenon and it’s intangible (tidak ketara)

 •  Model - used to simplify things and more practical.
                - model simplifies a concept and most of the times it is tangible

 •  Concept - a concepteral nation of something.