Crook, D (1997) Empirical enquiry or metaphysics? Re-specifying the methodological debate. Journal of Construction Procurement, 3(2), pp. 56-71. ISSN 1358-9180
Abstract
Recent contributions to methodological debate in construction management have highlighted arguments surrounding the use of what have been referred to as 'qualitative' and 'quantitative' approaches to research. Debate at this level is misleading and obscures the real issue at hand: whether researchers in construction management wish to pursue a programme of empirical enquiry or engage in metaphysical speculation. Drawing upon the foundational respecification of sociology offered by ethnomethodology, the construction management research endeavour is examined and requirements for empirical work are outlined.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ethnomethodology, research methodology, sociology |
| Index terms: | sociology, research methodology, ethnomethodology, management research, programme, drawing |
| Subjects: | technical documentation, research design and methodology, project controls, social theory, research methods |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Time Control, Design Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTA |
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