Working with theory: How to adapt theory?

Developing theory is an ongoing process, a continuum. Existing theories can be updated based on new evidence and adjusted when applied to new contexts or developments. Our engagement with old classical theories brings them back to life and puts them to the test.

But how to bring a theory “up to date” and how to make sure that we do this organically? Here we offer some resources that can provide guidance and inspiration.

Resources related to this question

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?

Kaveri Subrahmanyam on her approach to developing and updating theory

Theories : Kaveri Subrahmanyam on her approach to developing and updating theory

How to make a theoretical contribution to the field?

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

FOR-KB_1Q-multipleA_Are-there-any-concepts-and-theories-that-we-should-pay-more-attention-to_.png — Experts’ views on the concepts that we should pay more attention to

Theories : Experts’ views on the concepts that we should pay more attention to

Classics made modern: Revisiting foundational child development theories in the digital age

Theories : Classics made modern: Revisiting foundational child development theories in the digital age

FOR-KB_1Q-multipleA_Are-there-any-concepts-and-theories-that-you-wish-we-would-stop-using_.png — Experts’ views on the concepts that they consider contested or less helpful for theorising

Theories : Experts’ views on the concepts that they consider contested or less helpful for theorising

External Resources

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)
These fictions we call disciplines – on how to broaden disciplinary thinking and learn from differences (by Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz) These fictions we call disciplines – on how to broaden disciplinary thinking and learn from differences (by Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz)
Theorizing "lay theories of media" – a case study on how to apply theories of mediation to activism (by Patrick McCurdy) Theorizing "lay theories of media" – a case study on how to apply theories of mediation to activism (by Patrick McCurdy)
What film and cultural histories can teach us about YouTubers – on how to adapt classical theorists like Merton and Bourdieu to theorising of YouTube content creators (by Sue Collins) What film and cultural histories can teach us about YouTubers – on how to adapt classical theorists like Merton and Bourdieu to theorising of YouTube content creators (by Sue Collins)
Top 5 phases of research process – theorising from research (by Puja Mondal) Top 5 phases of research process – theorising from research (by Puja Mondal)

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?

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