Critically evaluating an applications vs theory framework for research quality

Ormerod [Ormerod RJ. An observation on publication habits based on the anal ysis of MS/OR journals. Omega Int J Mgmt Sci 1997;25:599-603.] contributes to an ongoing debate by pointing out that not only do US authors frequently publish in UK journals, but also that journal articles can be analysed on the basis of being 'untested theory' or 'true applications'. Such a taxonom y might, Ormerod suggests, be an alternative method of evaluating 'research quality' to the established methods of peer review or citation analysis. T his response critically evaluates this suggestion in terms of validity, rel iability, practicability and exhaustiveness. Ormerod's case is found not pr oven. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.