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Many of the issues on which meaningful research is founded are seldom discussed; for example, the role of everyday experience, diversity and coherence of meaning in the world, the meaningfulness and wider mandate of research, the very nature and validity of theoretical thought, and the deep presuppositions of philosophy and how they undermine the success of research.
Such questions are material to the philosophies that guide research thinking in all fields, and since they cannot be satisfactorily addressed in a piecemeal fashion, this book employs the radically different philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd to consider them together. Parts I and II discuss these issues theoretically and philosophically, while Part III discusses them practically, specifically the adventures that researchers across the world have had using Dooyeweerd's philosophy.
Foundations and Practice of Research assembles a wide range of experiences of using Dooyeweerd's philosophy in research in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences, the social sciences, design sciences and the humanities. Case studies demonstrate how Dooyeweerd's philosophy has been found fruitful in most stages of research, and the philosophical discussion backs this up. This book challenges researchers to join the adventures, including suggestions of potential research that could be carried out, as well as questions still left unanswered.
List of contents
Preface
Chapter 1. Introduction
1-1. ADVENTURES WITH DOOYEWEERD'S PHILOSOPHY
1-2. RESEARCH
1-2.1 The Mandate of Research
1-2.2 Clarifying Concepts Used in This Book
1-2.3 Some Requirements for Research
1-2.4 Research Content, Activity and Application
1-2.5 Range of Fields
1-3. PRACTICE
1-4. FOUNDATIONS
1-4.1 Foundations of Research
1-4.2 Philosophy
1-4.3 Dooyeweerd and Philosophy
1-4.4 Resources
1-5. GUIDE FOR READERS
1-5.1 The Structure of the Book
1-5.2 Some Tips on Reading
PART I
Chapter 2. Research and Everyday Experience
2-1. SOME PRELIMINARIES
2-1.1 Differences Between Research and Everyday Experience
2-1.2 Relationships Between Research and Everyday Experience
2-2. THE RESEARCHER-WORLD RELATIONSHIPS: DETACHED OR PARTICIPANT OBSERVER?
2-2.1 Is Detached Observer Possible?
2-2.2 Is Detached Observer Desirable?
2-2.3 Dooyeweerd's View of the Researcher-World Relationship
2-3. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEORETICAL AND PRE-THEORETICAL THINKING
2-3.1 Is Neutral Theoretical Thinking Desirable?
2-3.2 Is Neutral Theoretical Thinking Possible?
2-3.3 Dooyeweerd's View of Theoretical and Pre-theoretical Thinking
2-4. THE VALUE OF THEORETICAL AND PRE-THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE
2-5. UNDERSTANDING EVERYDAY, PRE-THEORETICAL EXPERIENCE
2-5.1 Interest.../part contents
About the author
Andrew Basden is Professor of Human Factors and Philosophy in Information Systems at the University of Salford, UK. He has been active in research for 40 of the past 50 years, informed by 12 years of professional practice.
Summary
This book assembles a wide range of experiences of using Dooyeweerd's philosophy in research in the fields of mathematics, the natural sciences, the social sciences, design sciences and the humanities. Case studies demonstrate how Dooyeweerd's philosophy has been found fruitful in most stages of research.
