Harriss, C (1998) Why research without theory is not research a reply to Seymour, Crook and Rooke. Construction Management and Economics, 16(1), pp. 113-116. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
Construction management researchers have for too long ignored the centrality of theory to human activity. A simple analogy from everyday life, the quest for a suitable life partner, will demonstrate that all productive action depends on theory if it is to be shared and form a worthwhile addition to the body of knowledge. This analogy provides a useful introduction to the philosophy of science, and a criticism of those who propose a non-scientific approach to construction management research.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | philosophy of science; scientific paradigms; sex |
| Index terms: | philosophy, human activity, management research, science, paradigm, body of knowledge, everyday life |
| Subjects: | research design and methodology, specialized education, education and knowledge transfer, knowledge management, sociology, philosophical studies |
| Topics: | Education, Research Practice, Urban Studies, Information Management |
| 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