Respond to theory critiques by building reconciliation rather than only cataloguing criticisms¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

Mayer proposes that a useful critique moves "from criticizing to building" by reconciling a theory with its criticisms. He argues a critique that only attacks is too negative and one that only defends is too positive; instead, "a critique that seeks to build a reconciliation between a theory and its criticisms provides a the way to move our field forward". He demonstrates this by addressing three exemplary issues: realistic situations, boundary conditions, and triarchic theory.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Critiques should identify specific issues that can be resolved constructively rather than serving only as a catalogue of criticisms

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• instructional researchers and theorists

Target Learning Goals¶

• advancing a research-based science of instruction

Related Strategies¶

• Critical Response Process

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Richard E. Mayer. (2010). Seeking a science of instruction. Instr Sci 38:143–145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11251-009-9113-x