Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:4487] RE: Theory and practice
From: Mark Nichols (M.Nichols@ucol.ac.nz)
Date: Tue 11 Mar 2003 - 04:36:51 MET
From: Mark Nichols <M.Nichols@ucol.ac.nz> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:4487] RE: Theory and practice Date: Tue, 11 Mar 2003 16:36:51 +1300
Hello Mary,
Wonderful to see your contribution. Your question relating to
theory/principles is a pertinent one as we get started. For continuity's
sake let's draw from dictionary.com and settle on the following:
Theory - A set of statements or principles 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.
Hypothesis - Something taken to be true for the purpose of argument or
investigation; an assumption.
Principle - A basic truth, law, or assumption.
There is considerable overlap here! I take it from your response that the
difference between theory and practice is that the latter builds on the
former, and if the hypotheses/principles assist your practice then they
probably belong in the category of theory? I certainly agree that we need to
just continue on the assumption that what is represented in the paper ARE in
fact hypotheses that DO relate to theory. It would be disappointing if, in
the din of semantic bickering, we lost the opportunity to explore a critical
area of importance to us all!
Mark.
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