The Methodology of "Boolean OR" (T1 or T2) Contrasted with "Versus" (T1 versus T2)

It is extremely common for scholars to engage in what might be called “theory combats,” which this paper generically refers to as the “versus” research goal. This involves pitting one theory, T1, against another one, T2. For example, for years—if not decades—in international relations scholars have pitted realism against rational choice—institutionalism versus social constructivism. If the study was statistical, then there would be variables representing each theory in the statistical model. Ideally, the author’s preferred theory, T1 hereafter, is statistically significant, while the competing theories (T2) were not. It is also common for two or even all three of the variables representing these theories to be statistically significant.