Evidence, Research and Learning

Abstract

In Chapter 10 we saw the beginnings of a way out of the problems of the classical approaches to social research when applied to management. Rather than treat these as universal models of research, we adopted an eclectic approach, recognising that each has a strength, but also acknowledging that each has very clear limits. So there is no single element which we can isolate and say: this is the basis of the degree of validity to be expected from management research. The position is rather that validity remains elusive, and difficult to characterise. But different kinds of value can be gained from the use of different approaches.