Statis Theory.

Statis Theory is a four-part pre-writing process that helps writers organize their thoughts and research. The theory breaks up knowlege into four categories: facts, definition, quality, and policy. In other words, researchers must determine baseline information, the meaning or nature of the issue, the seriousness of the issue, and the plan of action.

 

Within each of the four broad categories, there are several questions researchers must ask themselves in order to fully understand each section. The questions are as follows:

 

 

Fact

- Did something happen?

- What are the facts?

- Is there a problem/issue?

- How did it begin and what are its causes?

- What changed to create the problem/issue?

- Can it be changed?

 

It may also be useful to ask critical questions of your own research and conclusions:

- Where did we obtain our data and are these sources reliable?

- How do we know they're reliable?

 

Definition

- What is the nature of the problem/issue?

- What exactly is the problem/issue?

- What kind of a problem/issue is it?

- To what larger class of things or events does it belong?

- What are its parts, and how are they related?

 

It may also be useful to ask critical questions of your own research and conclusions:

- Who/what is influencing our definition of this problem/issue?

- How/why are these sources/beliefs influencing our definition?

 

Quality

- Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

- How serious is the problem/issue?

- Whom might it affect (stakeholders)?

- What happens if we don't do anything?

- What are the costs of solving the problem/issue?

 

It may also be useful to ask critical questions of your own research and conclusions:

- Who/what is influencing our determination of the seriousness of this problem/issue?

- How/why are these sources/beliefs influencing our determination?

 

Policy

- Should action be taken?

- Who should be involved in helping to solve the problem/address the issue?

- What should be done about this problem?

- What needs to happen to solve this problem/address this issue?

 

It may also be useful to ask critical questions of your own research and conclusions:

- Who/what is influencing our determination of what to do about this problem/issue?

- How/why are these sources/beliefs influencing our determination?