Although the word theory can be used to describe the educated guesswork of ordinary people living their everyday lives, scholars use the term more precisely. The scholar's work involves studying a particular kind of experience with a keen eye. A scholar's theory, which isbased on systematic observation, is his or her best representation of some state of affairs. As you will see in the next chapter, theory building is not an easy task. A great deal of focused observation, hypothesizing, and revision is required.