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EDN 203; 500; 523 Google: Define: TheoryDefinitions 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.shtmlProposed 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. Darwin's theory of evolution. Theories are intended to logically summarise information and to givea framework for the generation of new tests and ideas on the topic. 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.htma 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


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