QUERY Structural or Behavioral Theory (SD6239)

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Posted by  Monte Kietpawpan <kietpawpan at yahoo.com>

SD has been regarded as a useful framework for theory development. Why is a 
theory created under this paradigm often called a theory of behavior? Why 
is the same theory not called a theory of structure? 
   
If scientific theories must explain why things happen, a theory of behavior 
would explain why structure S generates behavior B. In SD, we would present 
the underlying feedback structure, consisting of factors (a, b, c,..., n) 
and causal relationships, that can exhibit B. For plausibility, we proceed 
to claim each causal link for each loop of the system, by explaning why, 
for example, a causes b; why b causes c, and so on. Eventually, each of 
the links is well supported by logical (deductive) or statistical 
(inductive) reasonnings. Will this theory become a theory of structure? 
   
MK 
Posted by  Monte Kietpawpan <kietpawpan at yahoo.com>
posting date  Mon, 5 Feb 2007 13:02:23 -0800 (PST)