Can Quantitative Research Solve Social Problems? Pragmatism and the Ethics of Social Research

Thomas C. Powell ()
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Thomas C. Powell: Said Business School, University of Oxford

Journal of Business Ethics, 2020, vol. 167, issue 1, No 4, 48 pages

Abstract: Abstract Journal of Business Ethics recently published a critique of ethical practices in quantitative research by Zyphur and Pierides (J Bus Ethics 143:1–16, 2017). The authors argued that quantitative research prevents researchers from addressing urgent problems facing humanity today, such as poverty, racial inequality, and climate change. I offer comments and observations on the authors’ critique. I agree with the authors in many areas of philosophy, ethics, and social research, while making suggestions for clarification and development. Interpreting the paper through the pragmatism of William James, I suggest that the authors’ arguments are unlikely to change attitudes in traditional quantitative research, though they may point the way to a new worldview, or Jamesian “sub-world,” in social research.

Keywords: Quantitative research; Ethics; Pragmatism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-019-04196-7

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