Theory construction: Finding your contribution

Please insert a 200 word abstract here. Computers, digital libraries and the Internet in general have led to an explosion of research that is often difficult to keep up with our fields. The vast amount of academic papers available to researchers makes it difficult to determine what to read or even figure out where we can make a contribution. This workshop focuses on the process of theory development and how to find holes in the literature where a contribution can be made. Participants will be made aware of software applications (some of which are open), that can facilitate the theory development process with visualizations, citation analysis graphs and reference software for example. The workshop is unique because it falls in a niche that is not covered in either methodological or philosophy of science texts. Unlike other contributions on theory development which are much more formally presented, this workshop will be much more practical in nature. It is intended to guide the research and theory construction process to make it easier for scholars to be able to successfully and more effectively make a contribution to their fields. It provides a practical and systematic approach to the research process beyond traditional methods of research design or philosophy. Today, contributions are almost random given that they are, for the most part, relying on articles that scholars find in databases with little or no strategies to identify the most relevant or from papers that advisers recommend. Workshop Leader Information (Please attach a copy of your resume in your email submission) Name: Martha Garcia-Murillo Affiliation: Syracuse University, School of Information Studies Postal Address: 245 Hinds Hall, Syracuse NY 13244 Telephone: 315-443-1829 Cell: Fax: 315 443-5806 Email: [email protected] Additional Workshop Presenters (copy for each one) Name: Affiliation: Postal Address: Telephone: Cell: Fax: Email: Speakers' background, description of workshop, and envisioned activities during the workshop (please provide information for each speaker) Detailed Description: Professor Garcia-Murillo has taught a doctoral seminar on theory construction for several years. She is also currently on a book on the same subject. The workshop covers the first two chapters of the book and emphacizes building theory from existing contributions. The workshop will demonstrate the value of visualization tools available many of them available on line to help categorize papers and find holes in the literature. Participants will identify relevant papers for their field, categorize them and visualize them using ManyEyes. Special Requirements Note: Regular equipment includes a computer, projector and screen. (x ) Computers ( x) Internet Access ( ) Others, Please specify: ______________________ Audience: Scholars who would like to play with visualizations that can support their efforts to build analytical frameworks Insert a description of likely participants: The workshop is open to anybody but it will be most helpful to young scholars. Because I am a native of Mexico I can facilitate the workshop twice one in English and one in Spanish. Maximum number of participants:______15 to 35_________ Specify the requirements for the audience such as computer, special software, and Internet access etc., in the following: Computer with access to the Internet