How do methodological preferences become part of institutional structure?

Suppose for decades a discipline repeatedly teaches:

“Primary archival evidence is essential.”

Then:

• professors teach it;
• graduate students learn it;
• journals expect it;
• reviewers demand it;
• hiring committees value it;
• promotion committees reward it.

Eventually it becomes an institutionalized expectation.

Who made it part?

Usually there isn't one person.

It can emerge through the cumulative actions of:

• senior scholars;
• journals;
• departments;
• professional associations;
• graduate programs;
• reviewers;
• hiring committees.

This is why we call it a disciplinary norm.

It can become institutionalized without anyone consciously saying:

“We are now creating a structure.”