hi everyone I'm sorry I really need to post this question:

how does one publish a paper on theory? I mean, if I were to draw a model of say A + B + C = D, but I haven't got any results to validate this model, so does it mean it cannot be published as a theory?

what if I just write about my theory A + B + C = D? what will make it publishable?

also, how do I look for journals that publish theories?

thanks very much
love satchi

Hi Satchi,
I'm not doing PhD at the moment, but there are no replies here, so I thought I'd venture one.

I think it depends largely on the common research methods of the field you want to publish in, and the research method you've used to derive the model/theory. If they are similar, I think a reviewer should not have too much of an objection.
Generally, I think if the theory has been derived in a logical, analytic manner from "first principles" of the field, validation results are not required - but that's not always the case. In mathematics research, most theories (theorems) are derived analytically and there are rarely real world "results" to validate them. However, in engineering and some fields of applied mathematics, you'd better at least have simulated results or real world results to validate your model - often, EVEN if your model is analytically derived from mathematics!
In physics, there is a distinction between theoretical and experimental too. Einstein's original paper on relativity has no validation results. These were obtained and published by experimental physicists many years later.

I'm not very sure about the social sciences, but I do know that generally there are separate fields such as theoretical psychology and experimental psychology (my sister is in the latter, but has studied the former), and theoretical economics and experimental economics. Each usually has its own methods, and I reckon that if a model/theory is derived using that method, it should be acceptable in the field.
I guess you could search journals by checking already published papers to see if your theory/model's derivation conforms to the methods commonly used in them. That method would represent the acceptable "technique of reasoning" in that field.

Hope that helps!

hi lude
I've been thinking about it, I haven't got around about how to validate it, I think that is why it can't get published. Thanks for your response.

love satchi

Hi Satchi,
It all depends on the subject you are researching. Most science fields require validation of results through experiment (though some like theoretical physics may just need a validation through logical consistency but if it is not testable (i.e. string theory) it is hard to say whether it can be published or not. For instance, Higgs Boson was initially that seemed unprovable in 50s and 60s but then LHC could discover them almost 50 years later. If you do an experimental research, theories with alone do not get published, unless your theory predicts something that can be testable.
It also depends where you publish. High ranking journals usually only published proved theories.