We analysed substantive normative and empirical research articles, focusing upon the degree to which the works explained causality— the ‘why’ that is required of good theory. We sought a classificatory ap- proach that focused upon the depth of theorising (and explanation), that is, upon ontology and epistemology, rather than allocation to a gi- ven school of thought and its assumptions. Hence, we sought meta-the- ory from other disciplines that offers explanations of human social process.