What Is Theory? Puzzles and Maps as Metaphors in Communication Theory
Many handbooks, books, and articles in communication studies offer definitions of theory, as well as approaches to what are the features of theory or what makes a good theory and to what are the functions of theory or what makes a theory useful. In this essay, we configure a taxonomy of definitions...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Paderborn University: Media Systems and Media Organisation Research Group
2009-12-01
|
| Series: | tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/137 |
| _version_ | 1797708529422827520 |
|---|---|
| author | Diana Iulia Nastasia Lana F. Rakow |
| author_facet | Diana Iulia Nastasia Lana F. Rakow |
| author_sort | Diana Iulia Nastasia |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many handbooks, books, and articles in communication studies offer definitions of theory, as well as approaches to what are the features of theory or what makes a good theory and to what are the functions of theory or what makes a theory useful. In this essay, we configure a taxonomy of definitions of and approaches to theory through a cross-disciplinary perspective, by reflecting on the different views on theory in the discipline of communication in the broader context of views on theory at the intersection of the physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. We argue that a preeminent tendency, theory as puzzle-solving or map-reading, with its varieties science and investigation, is predominant in communication studies, based on a subject-object schism and on the preexistence of the object to the subject. We also argue that a counteracting tendency, theory as puzzle-making or map-making, with its varieties interpretation and inquiry, has been posited as an alternative in communication studies, based on a subject-object communion and on the creation of objects by subjects. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T06:23:01Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-73c473d3369c421f867923d7f41203f6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1726-670X 1726-670X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T06:23:01Z |
| publishDate | 2009-12-01 |
| publisher | Paderborn University: Media Systems and Media Organisation Research Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique |
| spelling | doaj.art-73c473d3369c421f867923d7f41203f62023-09-03T02:05:53ZengPaderborn University: Media Systems and Media Organisation Research GrouptripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique1726-670X1726-670X2009-12-018111710.31269/triplec.v8i1.137137What Is Theory? Puzzles and Maps as Metaphors in Communication TheoryDiana Iulia Nastasia0Lana F. Rakow1University of North DakotaUniversity of North DakotaMany handbooks, books, and articles in communication studies offer definitions of theory, as well as approaches to what are the features of theory or what makes a good theory and to what are the functions of theory or what makes a theory useful. In this essay, we configure a taxonomy of definitions of and approaches to theory through a cross-disciplinary perspective, by reflecting on the different views on theory in the discipline of communication in the broader context of views on theory at the intersection of the physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities. We argue that a preeminent tendency, theory as puzzle-solving or map-reading, with its varieties science and investigation, is predominant in communication studies, based on a subject-object schism and on the preexistence of the object to the subject. We also argue that a counteracting tendency, theory as puzzle-making or map-making, with its varieties interpretation and inquiry, has been posited as an alternative in communication studies, based on a subject-object communion and on the creation of objects by subjects.https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/137theorysciencepositivisminterpretivisminquiry |
| spellingShingle | Diana Iulia Nastasia Lana F. Rakow What Is Theory? Puzzles and Maps as Metaphors in Communication Theory tripleC: Communication, Capitalism & Critique theory science positivism interpretivism inquiry |
| title | What Is Theory? Puzzles and Maps as Metaphors in Communication Theory |
| title_full | What Is Theory? Puzzles and Maps as Metaphors in Communication Theory |
| title_fullStr | What Is Theory? Puzzles and Maps as Metaphors in Communication Theory |
| title_full_unstemmed | What Is Theory? Puzzles and Maps as Metaphors in Communication Theory |
| title_short | What Is Theory? Puzzles and Maps as Metaphors in Communication Theory |
| title_sort | what is theory puzzles and maps as metaphors in communication theory |
| topic | theory science positivism interpretivism inquiry |
| url | https://www.triple-c.at/index.php/tripleC/article/view/137 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dianaiulianastasia whatistheorypuzzlesandmapsasmetaphorsincommunicationtheory AT lanafrakow whatistheorypuzzlesandmapsasmetaphorsincommunicationtheory |