Research Skils - Mandatory Papers - Sutton & Staw (1995)

3 important questions on Research Skils - Mandatory Papers - Sutton & Staw (1995)

(Parts of an article that are not theory) References are not theory

Authors need to acknowledge the stream of logic on which they are drawing and to which they are contributing. But listing references to existing theories and mentioning the names of such theories is not the same as explicating the causal logic they contain.
example: Rather than presenting more detailed and compelling arguments, authors may list the names of prevailing theories or schools of thought, without even providing an explanation of why the theory or approach leads to a new or unanswered theoretical question

(Parts of an article that are not theory) Data are not theory

Much of organizational theory is based on data. Empirical evidence plays an important role in confirming, revising, or discreting existing theory and in guiding the development of new theory. But observed patterns like beta weights, factor loadings, or consistent statements by informants rarely constitute causal explanations
Kaplan (1964) asserted that theory and data each play a distinct role in behavioral science research: Data describe which empirical patterns were observed and theory explains why empirical patterns were observed or are expected to be observed.

(Parts of an article that are not theory) List of variables or constructs are not theory

Sometimes the list of variables represents a logical attempt to cover all or most of the determinants of a given outcome or process. Such lists may be useful catalogs of variables that can be entered as predictors or controls in multiple regression equations or LISREL models, but they do not constitute theory. Listing the demographic characteristics of people associated with a given behavior is not theory
The key issue is why a particular set of variables are expected to be strong predictors

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo