Evaluating the Social Constructionist Paradigm in Housing Research

TLDR

Most housing research has been implicitly grounded in positivist epistemologies. The article examines the contribution of social constructionist research to housing studies and speculates on its future impact. The paper reviews positivist epistemologies, analyzes the philosophical assumptions of social constructionism, and summarizes criticisms and recent examples of its application in housing research. The authors speculate that social constructionist methods could shape future theoretical housing research.

Abstract

This article considers the contribution of ?social constructionist? research to housing studies. The first part of the paper discusses ?positivist? epistemologies that have provided an implicit foundation for the majority of housing research. It then examines the philosophical suppositions that underpin ?social constructionism?. This is followed by a summary of the major criticisms that can be levelled against the new research agenda, alongside a review of recent examples of housing research that draw upon social constructionism. Finally, the paper considers the future of theoretical housing research and speculates as to what can be achieved by methods based upon a social constructionist epistemology.