Reflections on Theme 2

The discussions on theory also took the same direction as knowledge did. We still don't have a definitive yes or no answer in regards to the topic. When looking at our classes wiki page for 'What is theory?', we have four separate but valid answers. In my groups discussion we talked about theory being the question of why something happens. Also, we thought that a theory must produce replicable results. Other groups mentioned that there are theories out there that cannot be tested or theories whose results have been given different conclusions by different people. Also, some of us had a hard time pinpointing what type of theory was used in the papers we read.

So if we cannot have a definite answer as to exactly what encompasses a theory, how are we supposed to come up with our own? Our group kind of joked around with this thought after discussing another group member's name and if possibly his parents being hippies contributed to it. While we will probably never know that answer it was fun to come up with different predictions and different ways to possibly test this "theory."

I think the readings and the seminar are definitely making it easier for me to analyze papers more effectively. I  now know when I am reading them at least what is not theory but also the different kinds of theory that may be presented.