1. Introduction

2. The Nature of Understanding

3. Science as an Approach to Understanding

II. Core Processes

4. Creativity and the Generation of Ideas

5. Focusing Concepts

6. Thought Experiments for Variable Relationships

III. Frameworks for Theory Construction

7. Causal Models

8. Mathematical Modeling

9. Simulation as a Theory Development Method

10. Emergent Theory: Qualitative/Mixed Method Approaches

11. Emergent Theory: Quantitative Approaches

12. Historically Influential Systems of Thought

IV. Theory at the Level of Measurement

13. Theory and Measurement: General Frameworks

14. Types of Measurement Strategies

V. Concluding Issues

15. Theory Revision

16. Reading and Writing about Theories

17. Epilogue