ABSTRACT

This book presents a new approach to housing research, one that is relevant to all the social sciences.

Housing research is diverse and operates across many disciplines, approaches and methods making collaboration difficult. This book outlines a methodological framework that enables researchers from many different fields to collaborate in solving complex and seemingly intractable housing problems. It shows how we can make progress in housing research and deliver better housing outcomes through an integrated approach.

Drawing on the work of renowned Canadian methodologist, philosopher, theologian and economist, Bernard Lonergan (1904–1984), McNelis outlines a framework for collaborative research: Functional Collaboration. This new form of collaboration divides up the work of housing research into functional specialties. These distinguish eight inter-related questions that arise in the process of moving from the current housing situation through to providing practical advice to decision-makers. To answer each question a different method is required. Making progress in housing is the result of finding new answers to this complete set of eight inter-related questions.

This approach to collaboration opens up a new discourse on method in housing and social research as well as new debates on progress and the nature of science.

chapter |3 pages

Introduction

part I|44 pages

Context

chapter 1|8 pages

Problems, questions and issues

chapter 2|22 pages

Functional Collaboration: Background

chapter 3|12 pages

Towards a scientific approach to research

part II|158 pages

The functional specialties

chapter 4|16 pages

Research and the empirical question

chapter 6|19 pages

History and the historical question

chapter 8|34 pages

Implementation and the future questions

part III|16 pages

Functional Collaboration: A unifying framework

chapter |9 pages

Conclusion