Empiricism, paradigms, and data

Abstract

Rather than being based on an indefensible distinction between empiricists and interpretivists, this essay argues that such a distinction, although generally held by many persons, is actually not defensible on the basis of a supposed theory–data interaction. Covering law explanations are not part of common theory in communication research. Paradigmatic distinctions are typically thought of as being fundamental to the point of irresolvable, and when they are based on philosophical positions should be sharply questioned. Research is best performed when paradigms do not limit the activity or the thought of researchers.

Notes

Robert N. Bostrom is Professor of Communication Emeritus at the University of Kentucky. Correspondence to: Robert N. Bostrom, 2295 Hifner Road, Versailles, KY 40383, USA. Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected].

Consider the following dialogue, occurring between Empiricist and his Dear One, on a trip to the country: Dear One: Look at those sheep—they've just been sheared! Empiricist: Sheared on this side, anyway.

Pavitt wonders why I said what I did about Berkeley, and I refer the reader to pages 24–27 in the Bobbs‐Merrill edition of A Treatise Concerning Human Understanding (Berkeley, 1710/1957). It certainly seems like mistrust to me.

I have no fear of being accused of making this statement to disarm criticism. I have witnesses.

I cheerfully join Senator Kerry in the brotherhood of “flip‐floppers.”

We have uncritically accepted Kuhn's view, and it surprises many of us to realize that not all historians of science agree with him. “Paradigm shifts” have been much more popular with social scientists than the “hard” scientists. Few other historians of science share Kuhn's interpretation of the history of science. Benjamin Cohen (1985) is good example of such an historian, taking the view that the development of science is better described as gradualism.

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Notes on contributors

Robert N. Bostrom

Robert N. Bostrom is Professor of Communication Emeritus at the University of Kentucky. Correspondence to: Robert N. Bostrom, 2295 Hifner Road, Versailles, KY 40383, USA. Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected].