Various scholars have offered varied views on the definition of a theory. Du Plooy-Cilliers, Davis and Bezuidenhout (2014: 37) define theory as a systematic description of concepts,
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constructs and relationships of specific phenomena in a particular discipline. However, it is important to state that theory is essential for research work, as it provides a framework for analysis and an efficient method of field development. The author further states that theory offers lucid explanations of a pragmatic world. Essentially, this means that the framework serves as a structure to identify differences in analysis. Equally, developing a theory reduces the margins of error in endeavouring to solve problems based on the current theoretical basis. This implies that the current literary work serves to discuss the current body of knowledge. Basheka (2015: 480) asserts that a theory encompasses a systematic collection of related principles). It can be argued that any endeavour being made to define theory should respond to general questions that researchers intend to address. Such a view is supported by Du Plooy-Cilliers et al (2014: 35) when stating that a theory describes systematically the concepts, constructs, and relationships of specific phenomena in a given discipline. Effectively, this implies that any attempt to define a theory should provide responses to the general questions on how and why some concepts have relationships. No academic work of any discipline may be undertaken without due consideration of its theoretical foundation.
On the other hand, du Plooy-Cilliers et al (2014: 37) enhance the definition of theory academically as serving to explain logically why something is as it is, or functions as it does.
This is attempting to provide answers to the “why” question which the researcher of any study may have. Theories, though not cast in stone, have the power of providing the best explanations of why the available phenomena are in the current state (du Plooy-Cilliers et al, 2014: 38). For example, a question may be raised as to why people have the perceptions that they hold about any service provision. For the purpose of this study, an attempt is made to establish the perceptions that the citizens of Johanna/Boxwood Road Informal Settlement hold on eThekwini Municipality’s ability to deliver water services. It further establishes the strategic interventions adopted by eThekwini Municipality’s Water and Sanitation Unit in its attempt to improve water- service delivery. This leads one to surmise that one of the basic tenets of theory is that it may be used as an explanation. In the context of this assertion, this study intends to investigate whether the perceptions held by the residents of Johanna/Boxwood Road Informal Settlement in respect of eThekwini Municipality’s water-service delivery are positive or negative.
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It is therefore not inappropriate to argue within the context of Hunt (1991) and Wacker (1998:
364) cited by Isaacs (2015: 319), that if a theory cannot provide a prediction, it cannot be worthy of being called a theory. In essence, the argument being posed here is that before a researcher undertakes any research work, the research must be premised on a strong theoretical basis, justifying the assumptions and existing clarifications. Isaacs (2015: 319) asserts that the theory the researcher opts for determines the issues that will be given priority, and the type of data the researcher decides to gather. However, it must be stressed that no single study can be limited to one theory. This means that a research work being undertaken may draw from multiple theories.
Consistent with this assertion, the researcher adopted two theories: the expectation-perception and core-value theories. As such, Creswell (2014: 15) states that any theory that is used must be able to be verified or tested; and such a verification or refinement must lead to better understanding of the world. It is therefore incumbent upon the researcher to scientifically collect data either to support or repudiate the theory, before completing the revision of the purported theory, and before conducting any additional tests (Creswell, 2014: 15). In essence, it is any researcher’s major assignment to collect information on the instruments framed around the measures filled by the units of analysis or completed by the researcher, by means of observations, or through engaging with various participants. Related to this study, community members of Johanna/Boxwood Road Informal Settlement in eThekwini Municipality were selected for quantitative data as units of analysis, to elicit their perceptions on the delivery of water services in their area. Questionnaires were administered, with one hundred residents drawn from Johanna/Boxwood Road Informal Settlement using a simple random sampling technique.
The study used the simple random sampling method to afford each household unit the same opportunity of being selected to participate in the survey (du Plooy-Cilliers et al, 2014: 138).
eThekwini Municipality’s aerial maps were utilised in selecting the identified number of households.
Correspondingly, senior officials from eThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit were selected as the unit of analysis for qualitative data, eliciting their views on strategic interventions for the delivery of water services within Johanna/Boxwood Road Informal Settlement. To achieve this, fifteen senior officials from eThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit were interviewed. This resulted in the researcher's being able to draw informed conclusions on the basis of having tested the theory.
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Clearly, any theory that is selected should be able to provide relationships between the units that are being observed. In line with this assertion, any theory that is chosen should be applicable to the phenomenon being studied. In view of what the scholars say, the study adopted the following theories as discussed hereunder.