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A process theory is a system of ideas that explains how an entity changes and develops.[1] Process theories are often contrasted with variance theories, that is, systems of ideas that explain the variance in a dependent variable based on one or more independent variables. While process theories focus on how something happens, variance theories focus on why something happens. Examples of process theories include evolution by natural selection, continental drift and the nitrogen cycle.
- ^ Van de Ven, Andrew (2007). Engaged scholarship: a guide for organizational and social research. Oxford University Press.