Theory Analysis

        The main issues are validity and usefulness.  Before that, we have to understand the main body of the theory, and some historical background will also be very useful.

 Background Information

         Who is/are the founder(s)?

         Is the theory developed from some other knowledge base or some other broader theoretical perspectives?

         What is the epistemic orientation adopted by those developing this theory?

         Is there any development since its inauguration? What are they?

         What are the types of phenomenon that the theory attempts to explain?

         What are the key theoretical questions addressed by those advocating or developing the theory?

         What are the key concepts/elements of the theory?

Validity

        Is the theory verifiable or falsifiable?  What evidence would help us to verify the theory or falsify it?

        On what empirical bases, the theory can claim its validity?  How much confidence do we have in its validity?

Usefulness

         Is the theory descriptive, explanatory, predictive or prescriptive, or which element of the theory is descriptive, explanatory, predictive or prescriptive?

         Is the theory parsimonious?

         Is the theory non-obvious?

         Is the theory comprehensive?  Under what circumstances, the theory is applicable?

         How useful is the theory to social workers?  What principles can we derive from the theory to guide our practice?