Hi everyone,
My study conceptual framework includes four different variables. the QUESTION is, Can I use two or more theories to support my research study as "Underpinning Theory"?
Thank you so much for the valuable responses.. For more clarification , I have tried to use one theory but actually I found one theory was not sufficient to support study.
Dear Ali,
Yes of course . There is no a complete theory that explains everything by itself sometime. Thus, it is good to be eclectic and approach your study from different perspectives .
Yes you can. You need to first understand each theory and how it is relevant to your research project. How are you using that theory to inform your research? How are the theories linked in the context of your research?
Then you need to determine whether using more than one theory confers additional value as compared to using one (preferred) theory.
It is also worth noting that theories are usually based on some assumptions. Each theory has its discourse. Using multiple theories thus has potential to introduce a clash of the different concepts.
You can use multiple theories as long as there is value in doing that and that any complexities that might arise have been considered.
You can use as many as you want but I would not use more than two, with three being the maximum. Keep in mind the more theories you have, the more you will have to add to chapter 2 and your theories must work together.
While there is no limit to the number of theories that you can use, I prefer to use a maximum of two.
Do these two theories make the same predictions for your study, or similar enough predicts so that each are compatible with the results? If so, then it was likely your study was not designed to differentiate these, so you can leave it open to future research (i.e., a critical study) to begin to nudge the scientific community towards one of these theories (or some other).
How you use them depends on whether they are competing theories or complementary theories. Are you testing between two theories, as Daniel Wright suggests? Are you trying to justify that multiple theories all support the need for a particular type of research? Does one theory handle one aspect of the issue, while another theory handles another? Would the theories lead to the same or conflicting predictions? When there are multiple theories, it is good to show your awareness of them to demonstrate your knowledge of the material. Ultimately, it is best to come up with your own resolution of the various theories, or, as Daniel Wright suggests, to discuss which theories are supported by your research, and what remains to resolve which theory is best.
Yes you can use two or more theories, but it depends on the different variables in the work. The theories will support the different limitations of each because no one theory can best explain in totality your work
Yes, you can use more than one theory for your research and like @Lavarne and Collette M Brown have said, two would be good enough.
Sure. It's a natural process of doing re-search. Combining theories can develop a new theoretical framework.
Thank you so much for the valuable responses.. For more clarification , I have tried to use one theory but actually I found one theory was not sufficient to support study.
hi Ali
You can use two theories..... however :-
1)Whether you wish to use a second theory should be based on your aim , objectives and a little knowledge about the relationship between your variables.
2) Using two theories doesn't necessarily mean that you are creating a new model. if that is your aim focus on including new hypothesis or variables.
Now some hands on solutions which might help :
1) For clarity of use of theory in reaserches - https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1058505.pdf
2) For how to combine two theories that you are planning to do check out the suggestions in this question on RG - https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_do_I_combine_two_relevant_theories_for_a_theoretical_framework
Hope it helps!
Yes you can use two or more theories that have represent on your research questions.
Absolutely;
It can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of your work.
Good Luck.
It adds a lot of value when the variables under the study require different orientations
why not ? Of course, you can use more than one theory in your research but the question here do you thinks that theory will add value to your study? and is it suitable to you research?
Yes, of course, Dr. Ali some studies with a complicated model need a strong theoretical foundation, that's why I posted my Question?
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