Congruence Analysis

Abstract

Congruence analysis focuses on drawing inferences to the relevance of theories from the (non-) congruence of concrete observations with predictions deduced from these theories. In order to be able to draw inferences about the relevance of the theories, it is necessary that the researcher deduce predictions about what he or she can observe according to these theories. This is not, however, to state that congruence analysis starts with theory. The recommendation that the researcher should derive predictions about observations before the empirical work is conducted is justified only as a means to enhance reliability and objectivity. Such a purely deductive approach is necessary if one is interested in evaluating the predictive power of theories with the help of statistical tools for which standardized observations are needed. A qualitative approach would allow for iterative interactions between theoretical implications and empirical indications, thus leveraging the full richness of information present in the ...