What Theory is Not _ Sutton and Staw (1995)

8/10/2019 What Theory is Not _ Sutton and Staw (1995)

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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


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Authors explained 5 Wrong Way what are not theoryto 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.

Introduction


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Parts of an Article That are Not Theory

Lots of references to existing theories does not createa new theory.

Authors need to explain which concepts andarguments are adopted from cited sources and how

they are linked to the developed theory

References

are not

theory

Data describe which empirical patterns were

observed and theory explains why empirical patterns

were observed.

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.

Data are

not theory


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Parts of an Article That are Not Theory

Theory is not conceptual definitions. Lists of

variables that cover all possible determinants helpexplain 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

Lists ofVariables or

Constructs

are Not

Theory

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.

DiagramsAre Nottheory


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Parts of an Article That

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 expectedto occur.

Predictions without logic are not theory. Stong

theory papers have both simplicity andconnectedness.

Hypothesis

(or

predictions)are not

theory


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Indentifying Strong Theory

Theory answers why. It's about

connections among

phenomenon. It delves into

underlying processes. It islaced with t set of convincing

and logically interconnected

arguments.

Weick says a good theory

explains, predicts, and

delights.

The Case Against Theory

Van Maanen believes there

is too much mediocre

theory and there should be

a 10 year moratorium whilewe understand

organizations better

through observation.

Others think we should

focus more on

accumulating empirical

findings for meta-analysis.


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Most researchers are trained inexperimentation not in theory building. It'sdifficult 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 andarguments around what has been measuredand discovered

Problems


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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 processbetween 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 arenot also a source of new concepts or ideas.

However, in qualitative studies often too much theory is

emphasized .

Recommendations


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What Theory is Not _ Sutton and Staw (1995)