Literacies and their Investigation Through Theories and Models

Abstract

This chapter clarifies the meaning of theory and model, particularly in relation to literacy studies. It explores meanings of paradigm and the shifts relevant to the field of literacy research. The chapter reviews central theories and associated models that influence literacy research, including constructivism, social constructionism, transactional theory, information/cognitive processing theory, sociocultural perspectives, sociocognitive theory, structuralism, critical theory, post-structuralism and non-representational theories, and post-humanism. It speculates on the evolution of literacy theories and models for research. Regarding the identification of issues in reading or writing to investigate, seasoned and newly emerging researchers often turn to theory and theoretical models to provide a theoretical framework for the investigations and to identify key issues the plan to examine in detail. The theoretical perspectives most frequently represented were sociocultural, cognitive/Information processing, and new Literacies. The chapter examines the relation of theory to model.

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