What is the difference between a model and a theory?

Answer 1

A model is often used to describe an application of a theory for a particular case. Sometimes it involves a given set of initial and boundary conditions. For example, the behavior of the Eiffel tower in an earthquake may be *modeled* by a finite elements computer simulation. The underlying *theory* employed could be the Prandtl-Meyers Stress-Strain relationship for elastic-plastic flow in metals and, of course, Newtonian mechanics.

In other cases, the term model is used more generally to mean some abstract representation or approximation to an underlying theory. In this sense, the P-M relationship above can be referred to as a "model" of the behavior of metals.

Answer 2

Theory Vs Model

Answer 3

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Yes a model is like a theory. A theory in scientific terms is not like a theory in normal conversation. A scientific theory is a well tested explanation of why something happens. A hypothesis is an untested guess of why something happens. An observation is what you see happen some physical measurement you can make. A law is a concise summary of a large number of observations or experiments. A law can predict what will happen but a theory is needed to explain why it happened. Law - What, Theory - Why. An experiment is the test you run to confirm or reject a hypothesis. Hope that helps. You can also google the scientific method and it will also explain the terms.

Answer 4

THEORY
a theory is a combination of principles, model to deduce laws.
MODEL
a model is a convenient analog or representation of a physical system.

Answer 5

an organised system of accepted knowledge - theory
a person who personifies the same - model

Answer 6

Three words that occur very regularly in research texts are concept, theory and model. It is often assumed that everyone knows what these words mean and what the differences between them are. These are usually false premises. The terms will be defined and briefly discussed. As in most situations there are a number of possible definitions for each word.

Concept

Simply, a concept is an abstract notion or idea, something that isn’t concrete.

"A word or set of words that expresses a general idea concerning the nature of something or the relations between things, often providing a category for the classification of phenomena."
Theodorson & Theodorson 1969

In other words a concept is an abstract summary of characteristics that we see as having something in common. Concepts are created by people for the purpose of communication and efficiency.

A concept has no set meaning and it is up to us to define what we mean by the concept. But if concepts have no set meaning then anyone can define a concept in any way that they wish. But if everyone can define the concept in any way they like the concept becomes worthless; unless there is agreement on the meaning communication is impossible. A concept therefore has to be defined, but in such a way that it has a degree of acceptance. Experts in the field usually propose such definitions.

As a researcher you would be expected to:

review this range of definitions, and


decide on which you are going to use.
Theory

A very loose meaning of the word is:

That part of the study of a subject which is not practical.
For example, teaching theory is often contrasted with teaching practice.

More substantial definitions of a theory are:

"A theory is a set of interrelated principles and definitions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relationships among variables with the purpose of explaining natural phenomena."
Kerlinger 1986

"Any set of hypotheses or principles linked by logical or mathematical arguments which is advanced to explain an area of empirical reality of type of phenomenon."
Jary & Jary 1995

In effect a theory includes a set of basic assumptions and axioms as the foundation and the body of the theory is composed of logically interrelated, empirically verifiable propositions.

Let us look at one of these theories in more detail.

Motivation theories fall into two main groups – content theories and process theories. Content theories of motivation, such as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Herzberg’s two factor theory of motivation, focus on what motivates people. Process theories, such as Expectancy theory and Equity theory, place more emphasis on how people become motivated. If we look at one of these theories, Maslow is based on a set of assumptions and links a number of variables (physiological, security social, self-esteem and self-satisfaction) to explain motivation. (Torrington and Hall, 1995)

Concepts are generally regarded as being at a lower level of abstraction than a theory but a necessary part of any theory, since theories are formed from concepts.

Model

Lucey (1991) defines a model of "any simplified abstract of reality ".
For example we are all familiar with scale models of aircraft, cars, ships, housing estates, etc. These simplified versions of the real thing are called physical or iconic models. They are based directly on the representation of the phenomenon being studied and look like the object.

An extension of the physical model is the analogue model. These models are physical in form but do not have the same appearance as the object being investigated. The circular movement of the hands of a wristwatch is an analogue of the behaviour of time.

However there are other types of models.

Symbolic models are based on logic, and inter-relationships between concepts are usually expressed mathematically or algebraically. They are concerned with quantification.

Mathematical (algebraic) equations are symbolic models. For instance a simple mathematical model is:

Profit = Revenue minus Total Cost

or P = R – TC

There are many such symbolic models in the fields of economics, finance, statistics, science and engineering. One approach to the analysis of such models is to represent the model on a spreadsheet and conduct sensitivity analysis.

A conceptual model is composed of a pattern of interrelated concepts but not expressed in mathematical form and primarily not concerned with quantification. Diagrams, such as maps, graphs, charts, balance sheets, circuit diagrams, and flowcharts, are often used to represent such models.

Models may be very simple or very complex. Since the world we observe cannot be observed in totality, each model reflects only a limited aspect of the total world. No single model, or combination of models, reveals the truth of the structure of reality. Each model reveals and orders reality from a particular perspective.

In practice concepts and especially theories are often referred to as models.

Other words associated with concepts theories and models are law, empirical and variable.

A law is a precise statement of a relationship among facts that has been repeatedly corroborated by scientific investigation and is generally accepted as accurate by experts in the field. Laws are generally derived from a theory.

A law is frequently referred to as a universal and predictive statement. It is universal in the sense that the stated relationship is held always to occur under the specified conditions, although the conditions may be predicted to follow.

Empirical means based on experience, observation or experimentation. Empiricism is the belief that all human knowledge is derived from experience – as opposed to, for example, idealism, rationalism and naturalism.

A variable is a characteristic or attitude that changes or varies. More exactly, it is any measurable characteristic which can assume varying or different values in successive individuals cases.

In the mathematical sense it is a quantity that may take any one of a specified set of values, for example, height.

A wider use of the term variable includes mathematically non-measurable characteristics such as gender and religion.

It is usual, when comparisons are made between two variables or there is a relationship between two variables, to term one the dependent variable and the other the independent variable. The independent variable is the variable that is changed or manipulated. As a consequence of this change there will be a resulting change in the other variable – dependent variable. For example, research may be conducted into the intensity of lighting in a room in order to observe the effect on productivity levels of workers. The independent variable is the intensity of lighting and the dependent variable is the level of production.

Answer 7

dictionary.com....or a science book :]