Making judgement as to whether a theory could be adapted for use in research is very important.

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• Adequacy: The theory should be adequate to explain the phenomenon it is intended to explain. The theory should be able to account for the known facts about the phenomenon.
• Falsifiability: The theory should be falsifiable. It should be possible to test the theory and to find evidence that would disprove it.
• Relevance: The theory should be relevant to the real world. It should be able to be applied to real-world problems.
• Empirical support: The theory should be supported by empirical evidence. There should be research studies that have found support for the theory.

Internal criticism is typically conducted by experts in the field of the theory. External criticism is typically conducted by researchers who are interested in applying the theory to real-world problems.

The evaluation of middle-range theories is an ongoing process. As new research is conducted, the theories may need to be revised or updated. However, middle-range theories can be a valuable tool for understanding and solving real-world problems.

Here are some examples of middle-range theories:

• The theory of reasoned action is a theory of how people make decisions. It states that people's intentions to perform a behavior are determined by their attitude towards the behavior and their subjective norm.
• The theory of planned behavior is an extension of the theory of reasoned action. It adds the concept of perceived behavioral control, which is the person's belief that they have the ability to perform the behavior.
• The stress-coping model is a theory of how people cope with stress. It states that people use a variety of coping strategies to manage stress, and that the most effective coping strategies depend on the individual's personality and the specific stressor.
• The theory of attachment is a theory of how children form emotional bonds with their caregivers. It states that children develop different attachment styles, depending on their early experiences with their caregivers.
• The theory of self-efficacy is a theory of how people believe in their ability to succeed. It states that people with high self-efficacy are more likely to take action and to persevere in the face of challenges.

These are just a few examples of middle-range theories. There are many other middle-range theories in different fields of study. Middle-range theories can be a valuable tool for understanding and solving real-world problems.

Sample Answer

Internal criticism is a process of evaluating a theory's internal logic and coherence. It is concerned with whether the theory is well-defined, consistent, and supported by evidence. External criticism is a process of evaluating a theory's relevance to the real world. It is concerned with whether the theory can be applied to real-world problems and whether it is supported by empirical evidence.

Here are some of the specific criteria that are used to evaluate middle-range theories:

• Clarity: The theory should be clearly defined and understandable. The concepts and terms used in the theory should be well-defined and unambiguous.
• Consistency: The theory should be internally consistent. The different parts of the theory should not contradict each other.