15225: Submission ID: Where is My Framework? The Perils of Theorizing After Results Are Known (TARKing)

Sunday, July 27, 2025

08:30 - 10:30 CEST (GMT+2)

Location: Bella Center: Hall D- D4-m2

Session Type: PDW (workshop)
Orientation: Research
Shareable link: https://cdmcd.co/D8EznZ

Organizer(s)

MW

Mona Weiss

Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
JS

Jan B. Schmutz

U. of Zurich, Switzerland
MA

Mirko Antino

Instituto U. de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Portugal
WD

Wiebke Doden

King's College London, United Kingdom
DU

Dana Unger

UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Norway

Panelist(s)

TA

Tammy D. Allen

University of South Florida, United States
CB

Claudia Buengeler

Kiel U., Germany
NL

Nale Lehmann-Willenbrock

University of Hamburg, Germany
EO

Ernest O'Boyle

Indiana U., United States
MW

Mo Wang

U. of Florida, United States

This Professional Development Workshop (PDW) introduces TARKing: "Theorizing After Results are Known", a practice where researchers modify theoretical frameworks post hoc to align with empirical findings, during peer review. TARKing, distinct from HARKing (Hypothesizing After Results are Known), shifts the focus to the process of altering the initial theoretical logic of a manuscript to not only fit observed results but, more importantly, reviewer suggestions that potentially compromise the deductive integrity of scientific inquiry. While iterative theoretical refinement is integral to manuscript development and publishing, TARKing risks undermining transparency, consistency, and replicability. This PDW explores the antecedents and consequences of TARKing, emphasizing its occurrence in the review process and the distinction between legitimate refinement necessary to develop manuscripts during peer review and the peril of engaging in problematic scientific practices. By bringing together a group of distinguished editors in the field of Organizational Behavior (OB), we will foster a rich debate and set forth a forward-looking agenda to improve current peer-review practices, focusing on how authors, reviewers, and editors can ensure theoretical transparency and integrity and avoid TARKing.