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

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