Lecture 5: What is a Theory?

Welcome to Lecture 5 of the Research Proposal Preparatory Course: "What is a Theory?" This lecture delves into the meaning and nature of theories in research. You will learn to explain what a theory is, distinguish between conceptual and operational definitions, and understand various types of variables such as dependent, independent, moderating, mediating, extraneous, and control variables. Additionally, you'll explore why references, data, and hypotheses alone do not constitute a theory, and discuss the characteristics of good theories. The lecture also covers the processes of theory development, testing, and refinement, including the differences between deduction and induction.