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Pragmatism as a Research Paradigm and Its Implications for Social Work Research

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  • Vibha Kaushik

    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Christine A. Walsh

    (Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

Abstract

Debates around the issues of knowledge of, and for, social work and other social justice–oriented professions are not uncommon. More prevalent are the discussions around the ways by which social work knowledge is obtained. In recent years, social work scholars have drawn on the epistemology of pragmatism to present a case for its value in the creation of knowledge for social work and other social justice–oriented professions. The primary focus of this essay is on providing a critical review and synthesis of the literature regarding pragmatism as a research paradigm. In this essay, we analyze the major philosophical underpinnings and methodological challenges associated with pragmatism, synthesize the works of scholars who have contributed to the understanding of pragmatism as a research paradigm, articulate our thoughts about how pragmatism fits within social work research, and illustrate how it is linked to the pursuit of social justice. This article brings together a variety of perspectives to argue that pragmatism has the potential to closely engage and empower marginalized and oppressed communities and provide hard evidence for the macro level discourse.

Suggested Citation

  • Vibha Kaushik & Christine A. Walsh, 2019. "Pragmatism as a Research Paradigm and Its Implications for Social Work Research," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:8:y:2019:i:9:p:255-:d:264760
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Goles, Tim & Hirschheim, Rudy, 2000. "The paradigm is dead, the paradigm is dead...long live the paradigm: the legacy of Burrell and Morgan," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 249-268, June.
    2. R Ormerod, 2006. "The history and ideas of pragmatism," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Palgrave Macmillan;The OR Society, vol. 57(8), pages 892-909, August.
    3. Max Baker & Stefan Schaltegger, 2015. "Pragmatism and new directions in social and environmental accountability research," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 28(2), pages 263-294, February.
    4. Yefimov, Vladimir, 2004. "On pragmatist institutional economics," MPRA Paper 49016, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Price, Joseph & Simon, Kosali, 2009. "Patient education and the impact of new medical research," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 28(6), pages 1166-1174, December.
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    4. Bromfield, Nicole F. & Reza, Hasan & Bennett, Larry W. & Xu, Wen, 2023. "Adolescents in street situations in Bangladesh and their exposure to physical violence and emotional abuse," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
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