Читать книгу Theorizing Crisis Communication - Timothy L. Sellnow - Страница 17

As we noted earlier, theory can be understood broadly as a set of tools, but all tools are not equally effective. Some tools are better matched to some applications. It is common for theories to be applied in contexts for which they were not initially designed. In other cases, the theory is not well matched to the phenomenon it is designed to explain. Sometimes a theory fails to account for new developments, such as changes in technology or in social structures, and is no longer useful.

Some theories, for example, are complex and thus cannot be easily understood or applied. The common criticism that theory does not work in the real world is usually due to overly complex sets of propositions, perhaps characterized by jargon and too many exceptions and caveats. Simplicity is one characteristic of a good theory. Simple theories are easier to understand and apply. Related to simplicity is the idea that a theory should be parsimonious, efficient in explaining as much as possible with few propositions and with wide application. Some highly parsimonious theories, such as chaos theory described earlier, have explanatory utility in both the physical and the social sciences. The most parsimonious of theories is the grand theory, which for most fields remains an elusive goal. Because theory is essentially a tool, it should also be useful, not only in generating and informing research but in guiding practice. This is another reason for constructing simple and straightforward theory. Theories should be dynamic in a way that allows them to develop, expand, and grow to accommodate new understandings and insights. In this way, a theory has much greater longevity.

Heurism is the ability of a theory to generate new ways of thinking, understanding, and, ultimately, generating research. Sometimes, theories capture the imagination of researchers and entirely new bodies of knowledge are created. They are often replaced by new frameworks that go beyond the initial formulation and are seen as having more explanatory potential. Finally, theory should be structured in such a way that it can be tested. We noted earlier that a theory can never be proven true or accurate. It is possible, however, to prove a theory false. This characteristic of falsifiable is a critical component of any theory that has as a goal generating research.