theory-fit-assessment

Compare candidate theories by testing mechanism correspondence and epistemological compatibility against your research question, yielding a dimension-by-dimension fit rating and a use, adapt, or avoid decision rationale.

Theory fit assessment verifies mechanism alignment, epistemological compatibility, and empirical operationalizability between a candidate theory and a research question, preventing label-style theory application in social-science workflows.

Generate a cross-theory comparison by rating each theory's mechanism correspondence, epistemological compatibility, and level-of-analysis fit against your research question, yielding a defensible use, adapt, or avoid recommendation.

Avoid theories whose core mechanisms cannot be evidenced by your planned data; theory fit assessment detects mismatches between planned empirical evidence and a theory's explanatory mechanisms to prevent misuse.

Yes, theory fit assessment evaluates China-context transferability as a distinct dimension, verifying that candidate theory mechanisms and epistemologies remain appropriate for China-specific social science research questions.

Avoid a candidate theory when assessment reveals incompatible epistemologies, mismatched levels of analysis, or core mechanisms that cannot be operationalized using evidence you can realistically collect for your research design.