Full Answer Section

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.