Return to Meaning

A Social Science with Something to Say

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Reference, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Business & Finance
Cover of the book Return to Meaning by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen, OUP Oxford
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen ISBN: 9780191090783
Publisher: OUP Oxford Publication: June 30, 2017
Imprint: OUP Oxford Language: English
Author: Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
ISBN: 9780191090783
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Publication: June 30, 2017
Imprint: OUP Oxford
Language: English

This book argues that we are currently witnessing not merely a decline in the quality of social science research, but the proliferation of meaningless research, of no value to society, and modest value to its authors - apart from securing employment and promotion. The explosion of published outputs, at least in social science, creates a noisy, cluttered environment which makes meaningful research difficult, as different voices compete to capture the limelight even briefly. Older, more significant contributions are easily neglected, as the premium is to write and publish, not read and learn. The result is a widespread cynicism among academics on the value of academic research, sometimes including their own. Publishing comes to be seen as a game of hits and misses, devoid of intrinsic meaning and value, and of no wider social uses whatsoever. Academics do research in order to get published, not to say something socially meaningful. This is what we view as the rise of nonsense in academic research, which represents a serious social problem. It undermines the very point of social science. This problem is far from 'academic'. It affects many areas of social and political life entailing extensive waste of resources and inflated student fees as well as costs to tax-payers. Part two of the book offers a range of proposals aimed at restoring meaning at the heart of social research and drawing social science back address the major problems and issues that face our societies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book argues that we are currently witnessing not merely a decline in the quality of social science research, but the proliferation of meaningless research, of no value to society, and modest value to its authors - apart from securing employment and promotion. The explosion of published outputs, at least in social science, creates a noisy, cluttered environment which makes meaningful research difficult, as different voices compete to capture the limelight even briefly. Older, more significant contributions are easily neglected, as the premium is to write and publish, not read and learn. The result is a widespread cynicism among academics on the value of academic research, sometimes including their own. Publishing comes to be seen as a game of hits and misses, devoid of intrinsic meaning and value, and of no wider social uses whatsoever. Academics do research in order to get published, not to say something socially meaningful. This is what we view as the rise of nonsense in academic research, which represents a serious social problem. It undermines the very point of social science. This problem is far from 'academic'. It affects many areas of social and political life entailing extensive waste of resources and inflated student fees as well as costs to tax-payers. Part two of the book offers a range of proposals aimed at restoring meaning at the heart of social research and drawing social science back address the major problems and issues that face our societies.

More books from OUP Oxford

Cover of the book The Handbook of Mortgage-Backed Securities, 7th Edition by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book The Governance Report 2017 by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book Patent Litigation in China 2e by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book A Guide to Countries of the World by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book The Second Vatican Council on Other Religions by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book Myth: A Very Short Introduction by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book Oxford Handbook of the Psychology of Appearance by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Related Tales by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book Oxford Handbook of Practical Drug Therapy by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Swedish Politics by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book Climate Justice by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Kierkegaard by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
Cover of the book Divergence with Genetic Exchange by Mats Alvesson, Yiannis Gabriel, Roland Paulsen
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy