theorydependent

Theorydependent is an adjective used to describe processes, data, or judgments that are shaped by a particular theoretical framework, model, or hypothesis. In philosophy of science and related fields, it denotes that interpretation and even what counts as evidence are influenced by prior theoretical commitments rather than being entirely theory-free.

The concept is closely associated with theory-ladenness, the idea that observations are interpretive practices guided by existing theories. Proponents argue that background theories determine what is noticed, how measurements are made, and how results are categorized. Critics contend that some observations can be more neutral or that not all cognition is fully theory-dependent, emphasizing limits to overgeneralizing these claims.

Applications of the idea span disciplines. In physics, the meaning of experimental results often depends on the prevailing models used to describe phenomena. In medicine, diagnostic decisions can rely on theoretical understandings of disease mechanisms. In the social sciences, coding qualitative data or interpreting survey results frequently reflects specific theoretical lenses.

Implications include challenges to objectivity, the issue of underdetermination (where data support more than one theory), and the importance of making theoretical commitments explicit. Researchers may mitigate overreliance on a single theory by triangulation, cross-disciplinary methods, and transparent reporting of underlying assumptions.

See also: theory-ladenness, underdetermination of theory by data, paradigms, construct validity.