Title
Practical theory, practical art, and the pragmatic-systemic account of inquiry
Publication Date
2001
Journal or Book Title
Communication Theory
Abstract
Practical theory, as distinct from applied theory, is based on the notion of inquiry developed in human systems research and pragmatism. It rejects the practitioner‐theorist dualism and treats theory as formalizations aiding inquirers' efforts to join with human systems to improve them, rather than as propositional maps of social reality. This article offers criteria for evaluating such theories and discusses the way practical theory establishes reliability, validity, and generality.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2001.tb00231.x
Pages
14-35
Volume
11
Issue
1
Recommended Citation
Cronen, Vernon E., "Practical theory, practical art, and the pragmatic-systemic account of inquiry" (2001). Communication Theory. 16.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2001.tb00231.x