INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION THEORY (PART 2)

Evaluation term is not about good or bad but it is about the usefulness of theory. Scholarly communication can be evaluated best capture the way to asses the relative usefulness of communication theories including accuracy, practically, simplicity, consistency and acuity.

1) Accuracy : the best theories correctly summarize the way communication actually works. A systematic supports the explanation provided by the theory.

2) Practicality : theories that are accurate but can't be used in everyday life are not as good theories that have great practical utility. There is nothing so practical as a good theory (Lewin, 1951).

3) Simplicity : to evaluate a good business or professional communication theory. The best way to think simplicity is to compare how much of communication is explained by the theory versus how many concepts and being used to explain it.

4) Consistency have both internal and external consistency.
a. Internal consistency, the idea of the theory are logically built on one another. A theory that purpose at one point that cooperation among the team members guarantees success and at a different point proposes that competition is more effective.
b. External consistency refers to the theory's consistency with other widely held theories. If we presume that the widely held theories are true, then the theory under evaluation that disagrees with those are true, then the theory under evaluation that disagrees with those believed supported theories also presents a logical problem.

5) Acuity : refers to the ability of a theory to provide insight into an otherwise intricate issue. A theory that explains a difficult problem, however is better than a theory that explains something less complex.

Source https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/4983_Dainton_Chapter_1.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3mYl-3l7uDJE2XC7UB7YdXKrw9fyRSIZh_WmiOXNHEIJ0WL2ak13pftuY