Working with theory: How to link theory and evidence?

Evidence and theory are interlinked. Evidence is always guided by theory and it’s used to generate theory in return. Theory tells us where to look and how to interpret what we are finding. It gives us a language to bring together our ideas and explain them to others.

But formulating theory from evidence can be challenging. Here we offer some resources that can help you make these links.

Resources related to this question

How to make a theoretical contribution to the field?

Theories : How to make a theoretical contribution to the field?

Connected-papers,-similarity-graph-derived-from-seed-paper,-...-(Livingstone-et-al,-2018)-_-spider-diagram.png — How to update existing theory?

Theories : How to update existing theory?

FOR-KB_1Q-multipleA_How-do-you-see-the-link-between-theory-and--research_.png — Experts discuss their experiences of theorising from evidence and linking theory and evidence

Theories : Experts discuss their experiences of theorising from evidence and linking theory and evidence

Theorising - a guided reading list with key texts

Theories: guidance on theorising : Theorising - a guided reading list with key texts

1Q-1A_videos-FOR-KB_Uwe-Hasebrink-2---THUMBNAIL-YOUTUBE---FEATURED-IMAGE.png — Uwe Hasebrink on the experience of the CO:RE project and synthesising evidence

Theories : Uwe Hasebrink on the experience of the CO:RE project and synthesising evidence

Elisabeth Staksrud on children’s agency and the shift to prioritise children’s rights

Theories : Elisabeth Staksrud on children’s agency and the shift to prioritise children’s rights

External Resources

A framework for researching Global Kids Online: understanding children’s well-being and rights in the digital age on creating a model on children’s internet use and mapping the evidence on the child rights agenda (by Sonia Livingstone) A framework for researching Global Kids Online: understanding children’s well-being and rights in the digital age on creating a model on children’s internet use and mapping the evidence on the child rights agenda (by Sonia Livingstone)
Role of scientific theory in social research – 5 important roles of theory (by Akash Choudhury) Role of scientific theory in social research – 5 important roles of theory (by Akash Choudhury)
Top 5 phases of research process – theorising from research (by Puja Mondal) Top 5 phases of research process – theorising from research (by Puja Mondal)
Becoming more creative in academic work - a menu of suggestions (by Writing for Research) Becoming more creative in academic work - a menu of suggestions (by Writing for Research)
Originality and innovation can be achieved by moving an ‘obvious’ idea from one context and applying it in another (by Writing for Research) Originality and innovation can be achieved by moving an ‘obvious’ idea from one context and applying it in another (by Writing for Research)
Storyboarding research – on using a story board to develop and write up ideas (by Writing for Research) Storyboarding research – on using a story board to develop and write up ideas (by Writing for Research)
Creative spark: Dustin Lance Black – on creativity in writing (a video by Academy Originals) Creative spark: Dustin Lance Black – on creativity in writing (a video by Academy Originals)

More from the theory pathways

Understanding theory

What are the key theories and debates? How to develop theory?

How to work with theory

How to link theory and evidence? How to adapt theory?

Applying theory in practice

How to "talk theory" to stakeholders? How to use theory for policy and practice?

Key areas of children’s digital lives

Children and young people

The child, children and young people
Development and evolving capacity
Structures and cultures of childhood
Diversity and difference

Digital environment

Technology and affordances
Uses, users and domestication
Normative values in design
Innovation and datafication

Place and time of access
In/equality and in/exclusions
Fixed and mobile access, wearable technologies
Transcending on/offline

Opportunities and benefits

Internet engagement
Participation and activism
Information and exploration
Play, creativity, fun

Skills and literacies

Learning and information skills
Digital skills and competencies
Data literacy and e-safety
Civic and other literacies

Content, contact, conduct, contract risks
Familiar and emerging risks
Cross-cutting risks, including privacy
Relation between risk and harm

Health and wellbeing

Digital wellbeing and health
Mental ill-health and anxiety
Resilience and coping
Vulnerability

Parental mediation
Socialisation, family and school
Sociality and peer support
Professional help services

Policy and regulation

Children’s rights in the digital age
Law, policy and regulation
Agency, voice and activism
Responses to emerging challenges

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