EDN 203; 500; 523
Google: Define: Theory
Definitions of theory on the Web:
a well-substantiated
explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of
accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a
specific set of phenomena; "theories can incorporate facts and laws and
tested hypotheses"; "true in fact and theory"
www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
a tentative theory about the natural
world; a concept that is not yet verified but that if true would explain
certain facts or phenomena; "a scientific hypothesis that survives
experimental testing becomes a scientific theory"; "he proposed a
fresh theory of alkalis that later was accepted in chemical practices"
www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
a belief that can guide behavior;
"the architect has a theory that more is less"; "they killed him
on the theory that dead men tell no tales"
www.cogsci.princeton.edu/cgi-bin/webwn
a model or idea that has undergone
testing or validation from careful observations and can be used to make a
variety of predictions of what will happen under different circumstances.
astronomy.nju.edu.cn/astron/Astronomynotes/glosst.htm
An analysis of a set of
facts in their relation to one another, offered to explain events.
helios.gsfc.nasa.gov/gloss_st.html
A theory is a logical
explanation or model based on observation, facts hypotheses, experimentation, and
reasoning that attempts to explain a range of natural phenomena. Theories are
constantly subject to testing, modification, and refutation as new evidence and
ideas emerge. Theories also have predictive capabilities that guide further
investigation.
user.mc.net/~kwentz/eduspeak.html
an always tentative
explanation of phenomena that we observe; never proven; representative of the most logical explanation based on currently available
evidence; becomes stronger as more supporting evidence is gathered; provides a
context for predictions.
www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/science/glossary.htm
A
comprehensive explanation of a given set of data that has been repeatedly
confirmed by observation and experimentation and has gained general acceptance
within the scientific community but has not yet been decisively proven. See also hypothesis and scientific
law.
college.hmco.com/geology/resources/geologylink/glossary/t.html
A plausible general
principle or group of principles offered in terms of a model to explain
phenomena
www.learnchem.net/glossary/t.shtml
Proposed
explanation for the causal mechanisms responsible for a phenomenon or a set of
facts. Also see
hypothesis.
www.geog.ouc.bc.ca/physgeog/physgeoglos/t.html
The
general or abstract principles of a body of fact, a science, or an art. A belief, policy, or procedure
proposed or followed as the basis of action. A plausible or scientifically
acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain
phenomena. A hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation. An unproved assumption.
www.projectauditors.com/Dictionary/T.html
A set of propositions which
summarise, organise, and
explain a variety of known facts, e.g.
psy.st-andrews.ac.uk/resources/glossary.shtml
A set of
ideas which are formulated to explain a phenomenon.
www.fest.org.za/it/glossary.html
a set of assumptions and the
conclusions derived from those assumptions put forward as an explanation for
some phenomena
www.wwnorton.com/college/econ/stiglitz/glosst.htm
— a
principle devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that
has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make
predictions about natural phenomena
nasaexplores.com/lessons/02-069/5-8_glossary.html
"a supposition or
system of ideas explaining something, especially one based on general
principles independent on the particular things to be explained" (Oxford
Canadian Dictionary).
www.yukoncollege.yk.ca/~agraham/guides/tpglossary.htm
Plausible or scientifically
acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain
phenomena.
depression.about.com/library/glossary/blglossaryindext.htm
1) In a general sense, any
more or less formalized conceptualization of the relationship between
variables. 2) Any generalized explanatory principle.
www.esb.utexas.edu/surge/Resources&Links/glossary.htm
In science, a theory is a
good explanation for the facts. Theories are not beliefs, and they are not suggestions,
but strong ways of explaining things. An example is the theory that the Earth
revolves around the Sun.
www.dmturner.org/Teacher/Library/4thText/glossary.html
a well tested (as opposed to a
hypothesis which is less well tested) explanation for observed events. A theory
must allow one to make predictions which can be tested by experiment. When the
results of those experiments are as predicted, it lends support to the theory
as a good explanation. If the results are not as predicted, they may lead to
the eventual modification of the theory, or even its replacement.
www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/chemistry/mission2mars/contents/glossary/t.htm
explanation of a problem based upon
observations and experiments.
www.rwater.com/glossary/gloss_mz.htm
a formulated general principle
explaining the operation of certain phenomena;
www.bgsu.edu/colleges/edhd/LPS/EDFI/408/glossary.htm
A general idea about the
relationship of two or more variables.
allpsych.com/dictionary/dictionary4.html
An organised
set of propositions intended to explain existing data in some domain and to
predict future observations. Theories are either true or false. Good theories
explain present data as well as (correctly) predicting future data. Theories
generate Hypotheses in order to test the value of a theory but not all theories
can be tested (e.g. Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory could explain the cases
observed previous to its creation as well as making some predictions about
future findings but it could not be directly tested for ‘truthfulness’ because
it involved un-conscious drives).
www.brookes.ac.uk/schools/social/psych/designgl.html
the body of rules, ideas,
principles, and techniques that applies to a particular subject, especially
when seen as distinct from actual practice; a general principle that explains
or predicts facts or events
www.nde.state.nv.us/sca/science/NERDS/glossary.htm
a statement of a proposed
relation among two or more constructs
www.tulane.edu/~jruscher/dept/345definitions.html
n the analysis of a set of
facts in their relation to one another abstract thought; speculation a
plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles
offered to explain phenomena a) a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument
or investigation b) an unproved assumption; conjecture c) a body of theorems
presenting a consise systematic view of a subject
home.att.net/~tangents/data/rlgdef.htm
several related
propositions that explain some domain of inquiry. Also called a school or
paradigm.
oregonstate.edu/dept/anthropology/glossary2.htm