Creating Social Science Theory

Creating Social Science Theory bridges a critical gap in social science education by providing a comprehensive guide to natural language theory development. Shoemaker and Lacy expertly demystify the theorizing process, demonstrating that theory creation is distinct from—yet complementary to—statistical testing. Through clear explanations and practical frameworks, the authors guide readers through exploration, visualization, and explication of theoretical concepts and statements, offering standardized guidelines for presenting complete theories that have been sorely missing from the field. Readers will learn how to visualize relationships, explicate concepts, and evaluate theoretical statements—skills essential for creating new theories or revising existing ones. With discussions on causation, boundary conditions, and the potential role of artificial intelligence in theorizing, this text provides a thorough foundation for understanding how theories can be developed, tested, and refined. By addressing the imbalance between methodology and theory in graduate education, this book equips the next generation of scholars with the tools to advance theoretical knowledge in communication, media studies, political science, psychology, sociology, and behavioral economics.