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Understanding theory: How to develop theory?
Theory tells us where to look and how to interpret what we are finding. The field of children’s digital lives is very multidisciplinary, so it’s important to reflect on the assumptions we bring, the concepts and language we use and the priorities we give to the evidence and arguments.
To help you get comfortable with understanding and developing theory about children’s digital lives, we share some resources for guidance and inspiration.
Resources related to this question
Reading list
Theories: guidance on theorising : Theorising - a guided reading list with key texts
Vlog
Theories : Sonia Livingstone on the dilemmas of choosing our concepts and theories
Vlog
Theories : Lynn Schofield Clark on how different disciplines approach theory development
Blog
Theories : On the concepts we use and what theory is good for
Vlog
Theories : John Hartley on theory-making, digital media, and children from a cultural point of view
Vlog
Theories : Ellen Wartella on grand theory, multidisciplinary, child development and theorising from the margins
Resources from CO:RE
- How to understand and develop theory? How to understand and develop theory?
External Resources
- The Meaning of theory in social science – creating a strong theory structure (by Rukmini Desai) The Meaning of theory in social science – creating a strong theory structure (by Rukmini Desai)
- What’s a framework? – discussion of conceptual vs theoretical framework (by Pat Thomson) What’s a framework? – discussion of conceptual vs theoretical framework (by Pat Thomson)
- Theory fright – discussion of what theory is and what purpose it serves (by Pat Thomson) Theory fright – discussion of what theory is and what purpose it serves (by Pat Thomson)
- Theory fright – discussion of how to create theory (by Pat Thomson) Theory fright – discussion of how to create theory (by Pat Thomson)
- Thinking about theory – discussion of how to choose theory (by Pat Thomson) Thinking about theory – discussion of how to choose theory (by Pat Thomson)
More from the theory pathways
Understanding theory
How to work with theory
Applying theory in practice
Key areas of children’s digital lives
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