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The use of theory and philosophy in research can be unfamiliar terrain. Embark on a journey through such perspectives and concepts with this engaging and approachable guide.
Making what theorists are talking about more accessible and demystifying some of their key ideas, this book offers a guided tour of philosophy to kickstart your own exploration. Breaking from traditional paths through theoretical approaches to research, this book has diversity, inclusion and social justice at its core and is structured around four domains:
- Progress, examining ideals and assumptions underpinning research;
- Emancipation, exploring concepts such as freedom, justice and power;
- Inwardness, looking inward to your own experiences;
- Criticality, questioning and challenging assumptions and embracing multiple knowledge systems.
This book is ideal for advanced undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers in applied disciplines such as health sciences, social work and applied psychology.
List of contents
Chapter 1: Engaging With Theory
Part I: Progress
Chapter 2: Stories of Progress
Chapter 3: Problems with Progress
Chapter 4 Paradigms and Revolutions
Part II: Emancipation
Chapter 5: Freedom and Justice
Chapter 6: Theorizing Power
Chapter 7: Oppression and Colonization
Part III: Inwardness
Chapter 8: The Search for Mind
Chapter 9: Foregrounding Subjecitvity
Part IV: Criticality
Chapter 10: The Critical Turn
Chapter 11: Language in Action
Chapter 12: Diverse Perspectives
Part V: Bringing It Together
Chapter 13: Methodology
Chapter 14: Zones, Layers and Positions
Chapter 15: Moving Forward with Theory
About the author
Peter started out with a background in philosophy, applied psychology and social theory. He worked for thirteen years as a clinical psychologist before returning to university to teach in a health science faculty. There he developed several applied programs, post-graduate courses and supervised a sizeable number of PhD and master’s students. In 2009, in response to student struggles with theory, he developed a post-graduate course on theory and philosophy which has informed the content of this book. His research interests include: applied rhetoric, existential issues, critical theory, gambling, family impacts of addictions, commercial determinants and gender-based violence. This is his ninth sole-authored book, the previous including three on addictions, two on existential issues, two on rhetoric and one on men’s violence. He is employed as a full professor at the School of Population Health and an associate director of the Centre for Addiction Research, both at the University of Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand.
