Fellows, R and Liu, A M M (2020) Borrowing theories: Contextual and empirical considerations. Construction Management and Economics, 38(7), pp. 581-588. ISSN 01446193
Abstract
Emerging disciplines, such as Construction Management/Economics, inevitably borrow theory and methods from other, more mature disciplines. In doing so, both the content of the borrowed theory and the contexts in which it has been used as well as the new context in which it will be used are fundamental concerns. Contexts have determined the content of theories and impact their applications–including validities and reliability of results and findings. Through a review of leading literature on theory borrowing, this Note discusses the major issues involved and suggests considerations and precautions to ensure good research practice when borrowing theory–content, context, and methods.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | content; context; empiricism; methods; theory borrowing |
| Index terms: | research practice, validity |
| Subjects: | research design and methodology, evaluation and assessment methods |
| Topics: | Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 2 PA |
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