The Role of Theory in Empirical Second Language Acquisition Research: An Introduction

Theory plays a central role in the development of human knowledge. In essence, theory solves puzzles, or questions about observable phenomena that need to be answered, (Kuhn, 1996). Theorizing solutions these puzzles requires working at edge uncertainty, making bold postulations, and engaging what renowned philosopher science Karl Popper terms critical rationalism; it is through theories are falsifiable subsequent empirical testing those our knowledge world (i.e., natural phenomena) will progress (Popper, 1968).