Theory
Lewis-Beck, M.S., Bryman, A., & Liao, T.F. (2004). Theory. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods, 1124. https://go.openathens.net/redirector/nu.edu?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmethods.sagepub.com%2Freference%2Fthe-sage-encyclopedia-of-social-science-research-methods%2Fn1012.xml
Theory may be presented as an ideal that shames practitioners and/or as something that, if followed, can transform practice. Alternatively, theory may be dismissed as unrealistic or even as mere rationalization. More balanced interpretations are also possible: Here, theory consists of normative principles that provide a general guide for practice, without supplying detailed instructions.