{"id":7789,"date":"2025-08-19T14:33:36","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T12:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/?post_type=artikel&p=7789"},"modified":"2025-12-15T16:41:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T15:41:22","slug":"using-theories-and-models-for-your-research","status":"publish","type":"artikel","link":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Theories and Models for Your Research"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Info:<\/b> Here you will find an overview of the overall structure of a paper in the social sciences<\/a>.<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In the social sciences, there are many theories and models about the same subject, some of which contradict each other. Make such controversies visible and engage with the different positions. As part of your academic work, it is necessary to consider the various alternatives and to take minority positions seriously as well.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
A critical comparison of different theories is the basis for developing your own position.<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n

Do I need theories for my thesis?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
\n

\u201cYes! A theory is like a pair of glasses through which I look at reality. It helps me see the outlines of a phenomenon more clearly and define it. This means a theory offers a comprehensive, well-founded description and explanation of (parts of) reality. Referring to theories in an academic paper makes it clear through which lens \u2013 in other words, from which perspective \u2013 I view things. To forego theory would mean remaining in the \u2018naive\u2019 position of everyday theories.\u201d<\/cite><\/p>\n

\u2013 Wolfgang Wahl<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Theoretical considerations often occur in connection with conceptual clarifications but can also be linked to the description of the research method used.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Quite often, empirical research projects contribute to generating hypotheses and thus to theory development.<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n
Using different theories and models is an optional part of the structure of an academic paper<\/a>.<\/cite><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"\"<\/div>\n

Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
\n

What should I keep in mind when including theories and models from other researchers in my paper?<\/h3>\n

Engage carefully with the original literature so that you truly understand the theories or models. Also, consult sources that critically discuss the theory or model themselves.<\/p>\n

What should I keep in mind when developing my own theory?<\/h3>\n

Developing a theory is a demanding academic achievement, which is usually expected only at the master\u2019s or doctoral level. It is important to conduct a thorough literature review beforehand to ensure that you are actually developing something new. Otherwise, your own theories should be based on solid arguments or empirical research \u2013 not on gut feeling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Main body research method hypotheses development model<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Info: Here you will find an overview of the overall structure of a paper in the social sciences. In the social sciences, there are many theories and models about the same subject, some of which contradict each other. Make such controversies visible and engage with the different positions. As part of your academic work, it \u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":5296,"menu_order":62,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"artikel_category":[1415],"artikel_post_tag":[1672,1746,1827,1659],"fakultaet":[1275],"arbeitsart":[1310,1251],"class_list":["post-7789","artikel","type-artikel","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","artikel_category-genres-structures","artikel_post_tag-development-model","artikel_post_tag-hypotheses","artikel_post_tag-main-part","artikel_post_tag-method","fakultaet-sw","arbeitsart-hausarbeit-en","arbeitsart-masterarbeit-en"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nUsing Theories and Models for Your Research - Online Writing Lab<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"de_DE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Using Theories and Models for Your Research - Online Writing Lab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Info: Here you will find an overview of the overall structure of a paper in the social sciences. In the social sciences, there are many theories and models about the same subject, some of which contradict each other. Make such controversies visible and engage with the different positions. As part of your academic work, it \u2026\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Online Writing Lab\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-12-15T15:41:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"855\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"961\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Gesch\u00e4tzte Lesezeit\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4\u00a0Minuten\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/en\\\/artikel\\\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/en\\\/artikel\\\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\\\/\",\"name\":\"Using Theories and Models for Your Research - Online Writing Lab\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/en\\\/artikel\\\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/en\\\/artikel\\\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-19T12:33:36+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-12-15T15:41:22+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/en\\\/artikel\\\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"de\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/en\\\/artikel\\\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"de\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/en\\\/artikel\\\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png\",\"width\":855,\"height\":961,\"caption\":\"owlsuchleiste gecroppt\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/en\\\/artikel\\\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Startseite\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Artikel\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/artikel\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Genres & Structures\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/en\\\/artikel_kategorie\\\/genres-structures\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Using Theories and Models for Your Research\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/\",\"name\":\"Online Writing Lab\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"de\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Online Writing Lab\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"de\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/ohm-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/ohm-logo.png\",\"width\":1413,\"height\":342,\"caption\":\"Online Writing Lab\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\\\/owl\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Using Theories and Models for Your Research - Online Writing Lab","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/","og_locale":"de_DE","og_type":"article","og_title":"Using Theories and Models for Your Research - Online Writing Lab","og_description":"Info: Here you will find an overview of the overall structure of a paper in the social sciences. In the social sciences, there are many theories and models about the same subject, some of which contradict each other. Make such controversies visible and engage with the different positions. As part of your academic work, it \u2026","og_url":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/","og_site_name":"Online Writing Lab","article_modified_time":"2025-12-15T15:41:22+00:00","og_image":[{"width":855,"height":961,"url":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Gesch\u00e4tzte Lesezeit":"4\u00a0Minuten"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/","url":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/","name":"Using Theories and Models for Your Research - Online Writing Lab","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png","datePublished":"2025-08-19T12:33:36+00:00","dateModified":"2025-12-15T15:41:22+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"de","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"de","@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png","width":855,"height":961,"caption":"owlsuchleiste gecroppt"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel\/using-theories-and-models-for-your-research\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Startseite","item":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Artikel","item":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/artikel\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Genres & Structures","item":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/en\/artikel_kategorie\/genres-structures\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Using Theories and Models for Your Research"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/#website","url":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/","name":"Online Writing Lab","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"de"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/#organization","name":"Online Writing Lab","url":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"de","@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/ohm-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/ohm-logo.png","width":1413,"height":342,"caption":"Online Writing Lab"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png",855,961,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt-500x500.png",500,500,true],"medium":["https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png",855,961,false],"medium_large":["https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt-768x863.png",768,863,true],"large":["https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png",855,961,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png",855,961,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-content\/uploads\/owlsuchleiste_gecroppt.png",855,961,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Maria Noll","author_link":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/author\/maria\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Info: Here you will find an overview of the overall structure of a paper in the social sciences. In the social sciences, there are many theories and models about the same subject, some of which contradict each other. Make such controversies visible and engage with the different positions. As part of your academic work, it…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artikel\/7789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artikel"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/artikel"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artikel\/7789\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9448,"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artikel\/7789\/revisions\/9448"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5296"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"artikel_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artikel_category?post=7789"},{"taxonomy":"artikel_post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/artikel_post_tag?post=7789"},{"taxonomy":"fakultaet","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fakultaet?post=7789"},{"taxonomy":"arbeitsart","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/leko.service.th-nuernberg.de\/owl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/arbeitsart?post=7789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}