Table of Contents

What do researchers mean when they talk about epistemology, ontology and methodology?
What does theory mean to scholars?
How do researchers in my field talk about theory in academic literature?
Why is it important to think about theories when I am designing a study?
How does research make a theoretical contribution?
How can I integrate theory into my research design?
DIY: How do I find and use important theories in my field of study?

About the Author

Dr. Janet Salmons is a free-range scholar and methodologist. She manages the Sage Research Methods Community (formerly known as Methodspace).  She authored Doing Qualitative Research Online and is a 2024 Fellow at the Center for Advanced Internet Studies. Recent books include: Doing Qualitative Research Online 2nd edition (2022), What Kind of Researcher Are You? (2021), Reframing and Rethinking Collaboration in Higher Education and Beyond: A Practical Guide for Doctoral Students and Early Career Researchers with Narelle Lemon (2021), Publishing from your Doctoral Research: Create and Use a Publication Strategy with Helen Kara (2020), Learning to Collaborate, Collaborating to Learn (2019), Find the Theory in Your Research(2019), andGetting Data Online (2019).

Dr. Salmons received a B.S. in Adult and Community Education from Cornell University; an M.A. in Social Policy Studies from the SUNY Empire State College, and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies and Educational Leadership at the Union Institute & University. She lives and works in Boulder, Colorado.