Title : What theory is not

Authors : Robert I. Sutton (Stanford University)

Barry M. Staw (Univ. of California,
Berkeley)
Administrative Science Quarterly, pg. 371-384

Year : 1995

Introduction
Authors explained 5 Wrong Way what are not theory
to help avoid writing that contain little or no theory.

Authors routinely use references, data, variables,

diagrams and hypotheses in lieu of good theory.
There is lack of agreement whether a model and a
theory can be distinguished, whether a typology is a
theory, and the value of "interestingness" on theory.

Scholars are forced to make tradeoffs between

generality, simplicity and accuracy.

Parts of an Article That are Not Theory

References
are not
theory

Lots of references to existing theories does not create

a new theory.
Authors need to explain which concepts and
arguments are adopted from cited sources and how
they are linked to the developed theory
Data describe which empirical patterns were
observed and theory explains why empirical patterns
were observed.

Data are
not theory

Data provides support but does not constitute a

theory. Those who use qualitative data must develop
causal arguments to explain why findings are
observed if they want to include theory.

Parts of an Article That are Not Theory

Lists of
Variables or
Constructs
are Not
Theory

Diagrams
Are Not
theory

Theory is not conceptual definitions. Lists of

variables that cover all possible determinants help
explain but is not theory by themselves.
Comparative tests of variables is not a comparative
test of theory. They key issue is again WHY certain
variables are more important

Diagrams can help explain how a phenomenon is

created, but they again don't explain why.
Good theory is often representational and verbal.
With a strong theory one can discern when a major
hypothesis is most or least likely to hold.

Parts of an Article That

are Not Theory

Hypothesis
(or
predictions)
are not
theory

A theoretical model is not simply a statement of

hypotheses. Hypotheses are statements about
what is expected to occur, not why it is expected
to occur.

Predictions without logic are not theory. Stong

theory papers have both simplicity and
connectedness.

Indentifying Strong Theory

The Case Against Theory

Theory answers why. It's about

connections among
phenomenon. It delves into
underlying processes. It is
laced with t set of convincing
and logically interconnected
arguments.

Van Maanen believes there

is too much mediocre
theory and there should be
a 10 year moratorium while
we understand
organizations better
through observation.

Weick says a good theory

explains, predicts, and
delights.

Others think we should

focus more on
accumulating empirical
findings for meta-analysis.

Problems

Most researchers are trained in

experimentation not in theory building. It's
difficult to successfully do both and still get
published.
Often theory is crafted around the data.
Thus, the craft of manuscript writing
becomes an art of fitting concepts and
arguments around what has been measured
and discovered

Recommendations

It's easier to agree around a strong empirical paper with no

theory than one with a weak test of a new theoretical idea.
Unfortunately, papers chosen for revision seem to be those with
acceptable methods and undeveloped theory.

The author's recommendation to rebalance the selection process

between theory and method. Journals should publish papers that
are stronger in theory than method. It's sort of been happening
for qualitative research but not quantitative research.

Seldom are ethnographic descriptions published when they are

not also a source of new concepts or ideas.
However, in qualitative studies often too much theory is
emphasized .

Thank You