Reflecting on Theory-Building
A Call for Empirical, Interpretive, and Confrontive Theory in Public and Environmental Affairs
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12450243 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Joshua Morse (University of Vermont), Joshua W Morse (0000-0002-6929-7522, University of Vermont, corresponding author), Curtis Ventri (0009-0005-1542-4847, University of Vermont) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 40 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 267-280 |
| Publication date | 2018-07-03 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Administrative Theory & Praxis (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1084-1806 • E-ISSN: 1949-0461 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/10841806.2018.1485454 |
| OpenAlex | W2890603278 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 22 |
Despite the relevance of social theory to matters of public concern as diverse as social justice and the environment, the importance of standards for evaluating theoretical projects and new efforts in theory formation are more crucial than ever. In response to this need, we draw from the works of Bernstein and other foundational thinkers in the social science literature to identify three criteria to assess the usefulness of social theories to scholars and practitioners in the public sphere. We assess the relevance of these perspectives in a case study dealing with higher education in environmental science and studies (ESS), making the argument that ESS, with its increasing interest in policy and administration and growing relevance to broad matters of public wellbeing, has much to gain from adopting theoretical perspectives pioneered in public affairs. We conclude our analysis with a brief commentary on the importance of challenging theoretical assumptions at the scale of the individual practitioner in addition to that of the discipline, and with comments to the relevance of the evaluative approach we identify for a broad range of fields that straddle the academe and the public sphere
Argument (complex analysis · Economics · Empirical research · Engineering ethics · Epistemology · Political science · Politics · Positive economics · Public interest · Public relations · Public sphere · Relevance (law · Social science · Social theory · Sociology · Straddle · Community Health and Development · Engineering · Environmental and Social Impact Assessments · Evaluation and Performance Assessment · Law
Critical social science
The New Sciences Organizations
The Policy Process
A critical review of the theory and application of social learning in participatory natural resource management processes
Aesthetic and spiritual values of ecosystems
The coming crisis of western sociology
The restructuring of social and political theory
Philosophy, Politics and Society
The Possibility of Naturalism
A manifesto for theory in environmental studies and sciences
Professional development of interdisciplinary environmental scholars
New Public Management
Sustainable Consumption
The role of science in environmental impact assessment
New Environmental Theories
Knowledge for What
| Highly cited | No |
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