metaforteori

Metaforteori, or metatheory, is a theory about theories. It provides a framework for analyzing, comparing, and evaluating theoretical assumptions, concepts, and methods that appear across disciplines. Rather than offering direct explanations of empirical phenomena, metatheory examines the foundations and justification of theories themselves.

A metatheory asks questions such as: What counts as a theory? What is the nature of explanation and justification? How do theories relate to evidence, data, and methods? What criteria determine theoretical coherence, scope, generality, and predictive power? What are the ontological and epistemological positions that underlie a theory, and how do they influence research design?

Core components include meta-ontological analyses (the nature of existence assumed by theories), meta-epistemology (the basis of knowledge claims), meta-methodology (preferred research methods and procedures), and meta-criteria for evaluation and comparison of theories. These elements help scholars scrutinize why a theory works, how its claims are tested, and under what conditions it is applicable.

Applications of metatheory include positioning competing theories, identifying shared or conflicting assumptions, and guiding study design across disciplines. It supports cross-disciplinary dialogue, synthesizes diverse theoretical families, and clarifies the limits and applicability of theoretical claims.

Criticism and challenges include a tendency toward abstraction and potential detachment from practical concerns. An emphasis on foundational debates can lead to inconclusive disputes if not anchored in empirical work. Some metatheoretical perspectives risk relativism if their claims are not subjected to scrutiny.

Examples show metatheoretical debates shaping research strategy: in the philosophy of science, between positivist, interpretivist, critical, and post-structuralist orientations; and in education and social sciences, where metatheory guides how learning, behavior, and social change are understood and measured.