Citation

Tzeng OC, Jackson JW. Genet. Soc. Gen. Psychol. Monogr. 1991; 117(1): 49-76.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1991, Helen Dwight Reid Educational Foundation, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2044947

Abstract

In this article, we have presented a general methodological framework for the construction and evaluation of social scientific theories in any domain of human ecology. In addition, we have presented some common fallacies and pitfalls in the nature and construction of scientific theories along with a discussion of 10 basic dichotomous issues important for evaluating contemporary theories and models. Finally, for the positive movement of future scientific work, we have summarized seven major weaknesses and needs in contemporary social scientific research and described the application of the proposed framework to the analysis of 46 child abuse and neglect theories to illustrate the importance of a multidisciplinary integration of future theory development and evaluation through the proposed methodological guidelines.

Language: en