Howarth, T A P (1997) A Gadamerian hermeneutic approach to ethnographic construction research. In: Stephenson, P (ed.) Proceedings of 13th Annual ARCOM Conference, 15-17 September 1997, Cambridge, UK.
Abstract
In undertaking the knowledge development process of empirical research it is well recognised that a variety of philosophies of approach are available to the researcher. Whilst accepting that issues relating to both quantitative and qualitative approaches to research have been extensively presented, this paper provides for a clarification of the meaning applied to the data and findings within one 'variety' of philosophical approach to ethnographic construction research - the Gadamerian hermeneutic approach. This Gadamerian approach to the research process has been practiced within the author's PhD study of undergraduate construction education. Through its utilisation the researcher has realised that literature relating to knowledge developing construction research, as viewed from a non-enlightenment, post-modern perspective, is thin and unexpanded. This deficiency is unacceptable as an informed process of consideration is essential for the appreciation of both the means to enable the research purpose, and the implications and limitations of that purpose. As such this paper presents and in so doing informs the reader, with reference to the author's research, of a Gadamerian hermeneutic approach to construction research, and the post-modern context in which findings and resultant empirical knowledge must be considered.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | hermeneutics; knowledge-meaning; qualitative research |
| Index terms: | meaning, qualitative approach, philosophy, qualitative research, construction education, undergraduate |
| Subjects: | research design and methodology, curriculum development, research methods, philosophical studies, professional education, sociology |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Education |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 CTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here