WHY IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE NOT PERFECT?
Two issues are imporant. First, theories attempt to identify patterns and associations in things that are, in one way or another, distinctive, and which are linked to a set of unique circumstances. Relationships and their outcomes are forever changing. Given the complex and changing interrelationships of various factors it is hardly surprising that these theories do not mesh exactly when applied to the real world. That is, the particularity of events over time and space make it difficult to develop meaningful theories. There is, though, a more fundamental reason why theories can only approximate to reality. It is linked to the inherent nature of theories. Theories are our thoughts on the real world; they are conceptualisations, and as such they are always fallible and open to revision. They can never mirror the world in a simple one to one correspondence because we do not share the same perceptions and experiences. HOW DO WE GET EVIDENCE? Theories require evidence of one kind or anothe
