Tips on Writing a Theoretical Rationale



Tips on Writing a Theoretical Rationale

1. Frame your study in the theory: In the front half, let the hypothesis emerge out of your theoretical rationale (theory is predictive). In the second half, interpret your results in theoretical terms (theory is explanatory).

2. Mention the theory in the title or abstract.

3. Link your study to the theory in the first page or two of the manuscript.

4. Include a theory heading and a paragraph or two that identify the originator, explain the central tenets, and tie the theory to your study. These are instructive paragraphs—teach your readers about the theory, and hint at the hypothesis to come.

5. After the lit review and theoretical description, clearly state the theoretical rationale or justification for your study. Build an air-tight, logical case for the hypothesis. Use statements like “It stands to reason that…” and “It follows that…” “Because XYZ theory has been supported in A, it is reasonable to expect similar findings in B.” Then state your hypothesis that B is true.

6. Sometimes you will weave together two variables/constructs that have not been previously connected in quite the way you are doing. Ex:

a. Students like immediate teachers (social presence theory)

b. Teachers use technology in the classroom (media richness theory)

c. It stands to reason that teachers use immediacy cues simultaneously with classroom technologies, but researchers have not yet examined the extent to which immediacy and technology use interact, or whether immediacy moderates the effects of technology use. Does social presence (immediacy) enhance media richness (technology)? Do they combine and work together to influence student affect? (This is your conceptualization of a hypothesis.)

d. Thus, the present study was guided by the following hypothesis: …

7. In the Discussion section, interpret your results in light of the theory. Explain your findings in theoretical terms. Why did this happen? Because, according to XYZ theory, we should expect that…

8. Toward the end of the paper, include a statement such as this: “These findings have important theoretical implications.” Then interpret your findings as an extension of the theoretical literature, such that your study now adds additional support for the theory.

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