metatheory

[ met-uh-thee-uh-ree, -theer-ee ]
/ ˈmɛt əˌθi ə ri, -ˌθɪər i /

noun

a theory devised to analyze a theory.
the investigation and analysis of theories.

British Dictionary definitions for metatheory

metatheory
/ (ˈmɛtəˌθɪərɪ) /

noun

philosophical discussion of the foundations, structure, or results of some theory, such as metamathematics
a formal system that describes the structure of some other system See also metalanguage

Derived forms of metatheory

metatheoretical (ˌmɛtəθɪəˈrɛtɪkəl), adjective