meta-theory

Meta-theory is the study of the underlying principles, assumptions, and frameworks behind a particular set of theories or concepts. It examines how theories are formed, their scope, limitations, and how they relate to each other. Essentially, it’s a "theory about theories," providing a higher-level perspective that helps us understand the foundations and coherence of various theoretical approaches. This helps scholars evaluate, compare, and improve theories within a field by making explicit the assumptions and structures guiding them.