Is Theory Really Different from Practice? (A Reflection Further Explored Based on Expert Opinion)

Abstract

This reflection on “is theory really different from practice?” has been
explored by taking this question to academicians/theorists, practitioners
and students to know what is their stance on it. To complete the study
senior level academicians, at least of the rank of Assistant
Professor/Senior Lecturer, from four (04) different domains of study,
natural science, management science, social science, computer science,
students and practitioners from the same domains have been individually
inquired through email. Main premise of the reflection was that there was
no difference between theory and practice. Main argument to support the
premise was that both were same because both feed each other, that
theories are actually the captures of practices to be guidance for further
practices. A close analysis of all the responses showed that experts have
principally supported the premise of the reflection. The study is based on
primary data collected through email survey, the thoughts, analysis and
findings presented in the paper are original. Analysis is based on the
responses of fourteen respondents which limit the generalizability. This
offers opportunity to design a future research to get broad based survey.
The study has initiated an important debate on the issue of similarity or
difference between theory and practice. This emphasizes that
practitioners can really benefit from theories in solving their problems.