ABSTRACT

A Primer in Theory Construction is for those who have already studied one or more of the social, behavioral, or natural sciences, but have no formal introduction to the way theories are constructed, stated, tested, and connected together to form a scientific body of knowledge. The author discusses scientific theories in general terms, but also addresses the special challenges of developing scientific knowledge about social and human phenomena.

This Allyn and Bacon Classics Edition contains the complete text of the original copyright 1971 version, with new typography and page design.

chapter |18 pages

Introduction

chapter |26 pages

The Idea

chapter |22 pages

Concepts

chapter |16 pages

Statements

chapter |34 pages

Forms of Theories

chapter |24 pages

Testing Theories

chapter |8 pages

Conclusion