Erdi - it depends on your context. I assume that your theory will be related to competence? There are several theories that might assist i./e. Proff's competence development theory and the more common competency motivation theory. You could also draw on educational theory/educational competence theory.

Dear Whitehead, thanks for your contribution. I will take into consideration your suggestions.

Erdi,

I am a bit intrigued as to why you seem to be addressing theory first. Seems to me you have a sound thesis so now it's just a matter of setting out to perform the research and gather data. While theories play a significant role in helping us look at the phenomena we question, it seems more a matter of their application, like general models in the social sciences, of utilizing them as stepping stones or a possible support-link. Sure, some of the data you gather may fit a theory in some manner and if it does so that makes for great backing and better understanding of your results and how that applies to the theory, or the theory's relationship to the results. If you are interested in knowing why social studies teachers bring, and possibly apply, a certain technological competence to the classroom then your data is going to be more telling than a theory. A theory might help you explain how-possibly some teachers approach and teach a subject in a certain manner, but as far as answering why and building out from there theories and models, I feel, should be applied as supporting argument. If constructivist theory comes close to the data then apply it as a support or point to where data supports aspects of the theory that it does. Again, I apologize if I misunderstood your question about the possibility of you leading with theory first. If I did understand you correctly then I would check out Causal Explanation for Social Scientists by AP Vayda and B. Walters as well as Nuts and Bolts for the Social Sciences by Jon Elster. These texts are more about methodology than theoretical schools of thought, but they may help in the thought process as you go. If I am off the mark and have misunderstood your question then simply disregard my response as the gibberish it may be.

Regards,

Matthew Martinkovic

Dear Matthew Martinkovic ,

First of all, thank you very much for your interest. I was actually a little confused about the research process before I saw the explanations of you. I will take into account your warnings about the choice of theory. I'm probably going to change the habit I've had so far.

Regards,

Erdi Erdoğan