Evaluating middle range theories.

In the context of middle-range theories, internal criticism can be used to evaluate the following:

• The clarity of the concepts and propositions in the theory.
• The consistency of the concepts and propositions with each other.
• The adequacy of the assumptions underlying the theory.
• The logical soundness of the theory's arguments.

External criticism can be used to evaluate the following:

• The empirical support for the theory.
• The applicability of the theory to different settings and populations.
• The usefulness of the theory for research and practice.

Here are some specific questions that can be asked to evaluate a middle-range theory using internal and external criticism:

• Are the concepts in the theory clearly defined?
• Are the propositions in the theory consistent with each other?
• Are the assumptions underlying the theory reasonable and supported by evidence?
• Is the theory logically sound?
• Is there empirical support for the theory?
• Is the theory applicable to different settings and populations?
• Is the theory useful for research and practice?

The answers to these questions can help researchers to determine whether a middle-range theory is a good fit for their research or practice.

Internal criticism is used to evaluate the logical soundness of a theory. It examines the theory's concepts, definitions, and propositions to see if they are consistent with each other. It also examines the theory's assumptions to see if they are reasonable and supported by evidence.

External criticism is used to evaluate the empirical adequacy of a theory. It examines the theory's ability to explain and predict phenomena. It also examines the theory's applicability to different settings and populations.