PART 1. BASIC CONCEPTS
1 • Introduction
            Organization of the Book
            Theories and Settings
2 • The Nature of Understanding
            The Nature of Reality
            Concepts: The Building Blocks of Understanding
            Conceptual Systems: The Bases for Deeper Understanding
            Communication
            Summary and Concluding Comments
3 • Science as an Approach to Understanding
            Socially Based Approaches to Understanding
            The Essentials of Scientific Endeavor
            Science and Objectivity
            The Process of Theory Construction
            Characteristics of a Good Theory
            What is a Theoretical Contribution?
            Summary and Concluding Comments

PART II. CORE PROCESSES
4 • Creativity and the Generation of Ideas
            One Small Step for Science
            Creativity
            Choosing What to Theorize About
            Literature Reviews
            Heuristics for Generating Ideas
            Scientists on Scientific Theorizing
            Conceptual Logic Models
            Summary and Concluding Comments
5 • Focusing Concepts
            The Process of Instantiation
            Shared Meaning, Surplus Meaning, and Nomological Networks
            Practical Strategies for Specifying Conceptual Definitions
            Multidimensional Constructs
            Creating Constructs
            An Example of Specifying Conceptual Definitions
            Operationism
            Summary and Concluding Comments
6 • Thought Experiments and Variable Relationships
            Thought Experiments for Relationships in Grounded and Emergent Theory
            Describing Relationships with Different Types of Variables
            Thought Experiments for Relationships between Nominal Variables
            Thought Experiments for Relationships between Quantitative Variables
            Thought Experiments for Relationships between Nominal and Quantitative Variables
            Thought Experiments for Moderated Relationships
             Broader Uses of Hypothetical Factorial Designs in Thought Experiments
             Summary and Concluding Comments
             Appendix 6A. Thought Experiments for a Quantitative Cause and Nominal Effect with Three Levels

PART III. APPROACHES TO THEORY CONSTRUCTION
7 • Causal Models
             Two Types of Relationships: Predictive and Causal
             Causality and Grounded/Emergent Theory
             Types of Causal Relationships
             Constructing Theories with Causal Relationships
             Identifying Outcome Variables
             Identifying Direct Causes
             Indirect Causal Relationships
             Moderated Causal Relationships
             Reciprocal or Bidirectional Causality
             Spurious Relationships
             Unanalyzed Relationships
             Expanding the Theory Further
             The Binder Method
             Common Mistakes during Causal Theory Construction
             Perspectives on the Construction of Causal Theories
             Summary and Concluding Comments
8 • Mathematical Modeling
              Types of Variables: Categorical, Discrete, and Continuous
              Axioms and Theorems
              Functions
              Linear Functions
              Deterministic versus Stochastic Models
              Model Parameters
              Rates and Change: Derivatives and Differentiation
              Describing Accumulation: Integrals and Integration
              Just-Identified, Overidentified, and Underidentified Models
              Metrics
              Types of Nonlinearity
              Functions for Categorical Variables
              Advanced Topics: Manipulating and Combining Functions
              Multiple Variable Functions
              Phases in Building a Mathematical Model
              An Example Using Performance, Ability, and Motivation
              An Example Using Attitude Change
              Chaos Theory
              Catastrophe Theory
              Additional Examples of Mathematical Models in the Social Sciences
              Emergent Theory Construction and Mathematical Models
              Summary and Concluding Comments
              Appendix 8A. SPSS Code for Exploring Distribution Properties
              Appendix 8B. Additional Modeling Issues for the Performance, Motivation,and Ability Example
9 • Simulation as a Theory Development Method
               Defining Simulations
               The Uses of Research Simulations
               The Difference between Simulations and Laboratory Experiments
               Basic Simulation Varieties
               The Analysis of Criterion Systems as a Basis for Theory Construction
               Simulations and Virtual Experiments
               Agent-Based Modeling
               Resources for Conducting Simulations
               Summary and Concluding Comments
10 • Emergent Theory: Qualitative/Mixed Method Approaches
               Grounded and Emergent Theory: An Overview
               Qualitative Research and Ways of Knowing
               Framing the Problem
               The Role of Past Literature
               Collecting Qualitative Data
               Field Notes and Memo Writing
               Theoretical Sampling
               Analyzing and Coding Data
               Constructing Theory in Qualitative Research
               Mixed Methods Research
               Products of Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research
               Summary and Concluding Comments
               Appendix 10A. The Limits of Information Processing
11 • Emergent Theory: Quantitative Approaches
               Exploratory Analysis of Direct Effects
               Exploratory Moderated Relationships
               Cluster Analysis
               Factor Analysis
               Big Data, Data Mining, and Machine Learning
               Chance Results
               Summary and Concluding Comments
12 • Historically Influential Systems of Thought
               Grand Theories
               Frameworks Using Metaphors
               Frameworks Emphasizing Stability and Change
               Psychological Frameworks
               Frameworks Inspired by Methodology
               Summary and Concluding Comments

PART IV. THEORY AT THE LEVEL OF MEASUREMENT
13 • Theory and Measurement: General Frameworks
                Defining Measurement
                Conceptual Definitions and Measurement
                The Importance of Concept Mapping
                Classic Test Theory: The Basics
                The Facets of Measurement and Theory Construction
                Measurement Theory Construction
                Emergent Theory Building in Measurement: Cognitive Testing, Expert Interviews and Pilot Research
                Using Extant Measures
                Other Criteria in Measure Evaluation
                Classical Test Theory and Qualitative Research
                Writing Reports to Justify Measurement Choices
                Empirical Tests of Measurement Theory
                Summary and Concluding Comments
14 • Theory and Measurement: Self-Reports, Observer Reports, and Objective Measures
                Constructing a Theory of Self Reports
                Constructing a Theory of Observer Reports
                Constructing a Theory of ‘Objective’ Measures
                The Importance of Theory Construction Orientations to Measurement
                Measurement and Qualitative Research
                Summary and Concluding Comments

PART V. CONCLUDING ISSUES
15 • Theory Revision
                 Disconfirmation and Theory Revision
                 Boundary Conditions and Theory Revision
                 Replication and Theory Revision
                 Disconfirmation and Qualitative Research
                 Bayesian Perspectives on Theory Revision
                 A Look to the Future: Computer Automation and Theory Revision
                Theoretical Desiderata for Revised Theories
                 Paradigm Shifts
                 Summary and Concluding Comments
16 • Reading and Writing about Theories
                 Reading about Theories
                 Writing about Theories
                 Grant Proposals, Technical Reports, and Presentations
                 Summary and Concluding Comments
                 Appendix 16A. Inferring Theoretical Relationships from the Choice of Statistical Tests
17 • Epilogue
                 A Program of Self-Study
                 Concluding Comments