WHAT THEORY IS NOT

This essay describes differences between papers that contain some theo ry rather than no theory. There is little agreement about what constit utes strong versus weak theory in the social sciences, but there is mo re consensus that references, data, variables, diagrams, and hypothese s are not theory. Despite this consensus, however, authors routinely u se these five elements in lieu of theory. We explain how each of these five elements can be confused with theory and how to avoid such confu sion. By making this consensus explicit, we hope to help authors avoid some of the most common and easily averted problems that lead readers to view papers as having inadequate theory. We then discuss how journ als might facilitate the publication of stronger theory. We suggest th at if the field is serious about producing stronger theory, journals n eed to reconsider their empirical requirements. We argue that journals ought to be more receptive to papers that test part rather than all o f a theory and use illustrative rather than definitive data.