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Defending normativism

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 October 2011

Steven Hrotic
Affiliation:
Center for the Study of Interdisciplinarity, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203-5017. stevenhrotic@yahoo.co.uk

Abstract

Elqayam & Evans (E&E) argue that evaluative normativism leads to unacceptable research biases, and should be avoided. Though it is stipulated that the particular biases they discuss are cause for concern, this argument should not be generalized. The boundary between evaluative and goal-directed “directive” norms is difficult to define, and normative assumptions are an integral part of academic progress; moreover, the biases that result may have beneficial potential.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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