The course focuses on the logical forms of theory and thereby helps you to develop your theorizing.
Advanced Theory Development
Frank den Hond
Course Description
The course starts with the assumption that the purpose of research is to develop better explanations of phenomena that are presently insufficiently understood. ‘Theorizing’ is the process through which explanations are developed; ‘theory’ is the outcome of this process. The primary focus of the course is on the logical forms of various styles of theorizing. The course does not focus on the topical substance of theories, nor on the specific methods for data collection and data analysis used in the empirical research that supports theorizing. Thus, the focus is on the ‘how’, not on the ‘what’ of explanation. Theorizing is not and cannot be captured in a series of steps or formalized in a neat method; it necessarily involves creativity and imagination, for neither of which there is a ‘formula’ that guarantees success. There are, nevertheless, some heuristics that may assist you in developing not only rigorous but also creative and imaginative theorizations and thereby help you to improve the quality of your research.
This course replaces and is an updated version of the GSSS course "Advanced Theory Construction".
Study Characteristics
- Discipline: Social Sciences
- Language: English
- ECTS: 4
- Type of education: in class
- Academic skill: Theorizing
- Graduate school: Graduate School of Social Sciences
- Start date: 18 February 2025
- End date: 28 March 2025
- Schedule:
8 sessions of 2,5 hours
18, 21, 25, 28 February
18, 21, 25, 28 March
Time: 09.30-12.00
- Minimum number of students: 5
- Maximum number of students: 15
- Admission criteria: No admission criteria. It is recommended that you take the course once you have a developed understanding of research literature in your field and have started collecting your research materials.
- Assessment type: Various assignments, active participation in class
- Concluding assessment: Yes
- With Certificate: Yes, upon request
- Registration deadline: 4 weeks before the start of the course
- Available for: All PhD candidates. Free of charge for VU, AISSR, and ZU PhD candidates. Other participants pay a €720 course fee.
- Name of teacher: Dr. Frank den Hond, f.den.hond@vu.nl
- Link to profile: Frank den Hond — Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (vu.nl)
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FSS – Advanced Theory Development
Course Description
The course starts with the assumption that the purpose of research is to develop better explanations of phenomena that are presently insufficiently understood. ‘Theorizing’ is the process through which explanations are developed; ‘theory’ is the outcome of this process. The primary focus of the course is on the logical forms of various styles of theorizing. The course does not focus on the topical substance of theories, nor on the specific methods for data collection and data analysis used in the empirical research that supports theorizing. Thus, the focus is on the ‘how’, not on the ‘what’ of explanation. Theorizing is not and cannot be captured in a series of steps or formalized in a neat method; it necessarily involves creativity and imagination, for neither of which there is a ‘formula’ that guarantees success. There are, nevertheless, some heuristics that may assist you in developing not only rigorous but also creative and imaginative theorizations and thereby help you to improve the quality of your research.
This course replaces and is an updated version of the GSSS course "Advanced Theory Construction".
Study Characteristics
- Discipline: Social Sciences
- Language: English
- ECTS: 4
- Type of education: in class
- Academic skill: Theorizing
- Graduate school: Graduate School of Social Sciences
- Start date: 18 February 2025
- End date: 28 March 2025
- Schedule:
8 sessions of 2,5 hours
18, 21, 25, 28 February
18, 21, 25, 28 March
Time: 09.30-12.00
- Minimum number of students: 5
- Maximum number of students: 15
- Admission criteria: No admission criteria. It is recommended that you take the course once you have a developed understanding of research literature in your field and have started collecting your research materials.
- Assessment type: Various assignments, active participation in class
- Concluding assessment: Yes
- With Certificate: Yes, upon request
- Registration deadline: 4 weeks before the start of the course
- Available for: All PhD candidates. Free of charge for VU, AISSR, and ZU PhD candidates. Other participants pay a €720 course fee.
- Name of teacher: Dr. Frank den Hond, f.den.hond@vu.nl
- Link to profile: Frank den Hond — Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (vu.nl)