ABSTRACT
This chapter is about the nature of theory and how a new kind of theory is used and evolved through practice-based research. I call this theory as active agent, by which I mean that existing theory plays a dynamic role in the research process that can lead to the emergence of new theory. This theory may take the form of a practitioner ‘framework’ which operates as an instrument for thinking and, where applicable, making something new. I begin with a discussion of theory as used in different contexts and then discuss how theory operates as an active agent in practitioner research. Expanding on this process, I describe a trajectory model of theory in practice that represents how practice-based knowledge emerges from research. The trajectory model was derived by observing and analysing practice-based research practitioners in order to describe common and differentiating features. What began as a researcher’s method for generalising about the practice-based research process has proven to be useful to practitioners. Examples of practitioner theory as ‘frameworks’ that have been developed from practice through research are described.
