Critical Social Science Perspective Research Articles

Storing carbon dioxide for climate's sake: contradictions and parallels with enhanced oil recovery

An increase in carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, including bioenergy with CCS (BECCS), has led to an urgent demand for storage sites, and Norway stands out for its ongoing and planned geological storage sites in a European context. Even though there are no commercial carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) projects in Norway and the North Sea, there is scientific literature linking CO2-EOR and CCS in this geographical region. CO2-EOR utilizes CO2 to extract additional oil, counteracting the climate change mitigation purpose of geological storage. This review article explores how CCS is represented in the scientific literature on CO2-EOR in the North Sea and Norway, with a focus on system synergies and contradictions in relation to climate change mitigation. The main themes in the scientific literature on CO2-EOR in the North Sea are climate change, economics, and geological feasibility. Monitoring, safety, and leakage in addition to transportation of CO2 are less salient. The results show that there are contrasting framings in the literature. One framing is that CO2-EOR is a gateway to large-scale storage which maintains, or even expands, the extraction of fossil fuels and contributes to a sustainable transition in the long run through knowledge building and shared infrastructure. In contrast, another framing is that CO2-EOR combined with CCS have goal conflicts and are therefore not compatible, illustrating complexities with geological storage. Finally, this study reflects on how techno-economic research on CO2 storage in the North Sea and Norway is furthered through critical social science perspectives.

Degrowth and agri-food systems: a research agenda for the critical social sciences

Degrowth has become a recognised paradigm for identifying and critiquing systemic unsustainability rooted in the capitalist, growth-compelled economy. Increasingly, degrowth is discussed in relation to specific economic sectors such as the agri-food system. This paper builds on the foundational work of Gerber (2020) and Nelson and Edwards (2021). While both publications take a rather specific analytical or disciplinary focus—the former specifically connects critical agrarian studies and degrowth, the latter explores the contributions of the recent volume ‘Food for degrowth’—this paper takes stock of the emerging body of literature on degrowth and agri-food systems more broadly. It proposes research avenues that deepen, expand and diversify degrowth research on agri-food systems in four areas: (i) degrowth conceptualisations; (ii) theorisation of transformations towards sustainability; (iii) the political economy of degrowth agri-food systems; and (iv) rurality and degrowth. Together, these avenues devote due attention to a variety of agents (ranging from translocal networks to non-humans), spaces (e.g. the rural), theories (e.g. sustainability transitions and transformations towards sustainability) and policies (of the agricultural sector and beyond) that thus far have received limited attention within the degrowth literature. The critical social science perspective on degrowth agri-food systems, which is advanced in this paper, illuminates that the present unsustainability and injustice of hegemonic agri-food systems are not merely a problem of that sector alone, but rather are ingrained in the social imaginaries of how economies and societies should work as well as in the political–economic structures that uphold and reproduce these imaginaries.

Building bridges: Connecting sport marketing and critical social science research.

Recently, sport management scholars have called for researchers to critically evaluate the ways in which research questions and resulting contributions truly disrupt what is known, how it is known, why it is important to know, and for whom. Historically, sport marketing research has adapted traditional research approaches from the parent marketing discipline to sport. Yet, sport is a constantly evolving social and cultural phenomenon and a reliance on conventional theories, concepts, and methods can serve to crystalize the discourse in sport marketing in ways that may limit knowledge production. Responding to this call, we believe that sport marketing research has much to gain from engaging with critical social science assumptions, worldviews, and perspectives to examine complex issues in sport. We position this paper as a starting point for advancing the field of sport marketing in meaningful and impactful ways by offering two research propositions, each accompanied by four actional recommendations. We employ a particular focus on the marketing campaigns that activate and promote corporate partnerships in sport to frame our two propositions, which discuss (1) consumer culture theory and (2) the circuit of culture as two important frameworks that begin to build bridges between sport marketing and critical social science.

"Maybe I would've been more comfortable in my Ignorance?": Exploring future physical therapist's lived experience of an elective pain science course.

Through the Master of Physical Therapy program at a Canadian University, Understanding Pain in Rehabilitation (PT9551b) has been an elective option for physical therapy students with the final submission based on a reflective diary. The primary intention of the course is to introduce a critical social science perspective of pain and pain management. A secondary intention is to facilitate student reflection on how they see themselves as 'providers of pain management' or 'providers of physical therapy for people in pain' although at this point, the students' experiences of learning in this way has not been rigorously explored. There has yet to be a systemic examination of how physical therapy students experience learning about pain through such a course, and how the course has impacted their perspectives. This study followed an interpretive phenomenological research design. Single semi-structured in-depth 45-90-minute interviews of recent students were audio recorded and transcribed. In addition, the reflective diaries of students were included in the data set with students' permission. The analysis process followed a detailed reading approach to analysis by reading transcriptions line by line and engaging in critical reflection. Six major themes were identified including: 1) Therapeutic Power of Words; 2) Learning through Reflection; 3) Lived Experience with Pain; 4) Patient Partnership; 5) Conceptualizations of Pain; and 6) Pain and Physiotherapy Practice. It is recommended that researchers and educators encourage a continuation of reflective practice to conceptualize new information and as a means for participants to reflect on their personal and professional experiences.

Closing Commentary, Opening Conversations: Liminal Reflections on Decent Work, Emerging Adulthood, and Social Justice

This paper engages with and reacts to the five papers authored by the UNITWIN research teams responsible for this special issue. It highlights some of the key concepts, themes, and analyses in regard to prolonged transitions and decent work, weaving them together while offering a series of reflections about them. In so doing, this paper adopts a social justice lens and deploys critical social science perspectives in order to make sense of the trials and tribulations faced by low qualified, emerging adults under the long shadow of neoliberalism. Such an approach enables a contrapuntal reading of the papers under consideration, with a view to generating fresh insights on contemporary transitions in both developed and developing country contexts. These reflections seek to further enrich a powerful and compelling set of papers by adding complementary layers of analyses, providing pointers to renewed policy and practice.

Furthering systems theory towards social theory by revisiting critical systems thinking: connecting problem-solving and theory-building

PurposeThe purpose is to forward systems theory one more step towards social theory and integrate problem-solving and theory-building, and search for the integration and unity of science by revealing the nature and role of critical systems thinking (CST).Design/methodology/approachThis article describes relations between systems theory and social theory in three parts. First, it examines the links of systems methodologies with three social science approaches as well as the role of CST. Second, the focus of theory and the form of explanation are discussed from critical social science (CSS) perspective. Third, the direction of theorizing of a CST-based systems theory is investigated.FindingsFirst, CST is a hidden assumption of system dynamics (SD)/systems thinking (ST). Second, systems theory is positioned in CSS. Third, CST integrates traditional and soft systems methodologies (SSM), and connects systems science and social science. Fourth, this article reveals hidden links between systems approaches and three corresponding social science approaches. Fifth, the theoretical focus of a CST-based systems theory could be formal/structure theory and/or substantive/content theory. Sixth, the form of explanation could be structural/mechanismic explanation combining causal and interpretive explanations. Seventh, a CST-based systems theory may adopt abduction, which complements a defect in deduction and induction in a difficulty of nonlinearity.Originality/valueIt illustrates a graph of the competing approaches in systems science corresponding to paradigms in social science.

From planetary to societal boundaries: an argument for collectively defined self-limitation

The planetary boundaries concept has profoundly changed the vocabulary and representation of global environmental issues. We bring a critical social science perspective to this framework through the notion of societal boundaries and aim to provide a more nuanced understanding of the social nature of thresholds. We start by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of planetary boundaries from a social science perspective. We then focus on capitalist societies as a heuristic for discussing the expansionary dynamics, power relations, and lock-ins of modern societies that impel highly unsustainable societal relations with nature. While formulating societal boundaries implies a controversial process ‒ based on normative judgments, ethical concerns, and socio-political struggles ‒ it has the potential to offer guidelines for a just, social-ecological transformation. Collective autonomy and the politics of self-limitation are key elements of societal boundaries and are linked to important proposals and pluriverse experiences to integrate well-being and boundaries. The role of the state and propositions for radical alternative approaches to well-being have particular importance. We conclude with reflections on social freedom, defined as the right not to live at others’ expense. Toward the aim of defining boundaries through transdisciplinary and democratic processes, we seek to open a dialogue on these issues.

Understanding hard-to-reach communities: local perspectives and experiences of trachoma control among the pastoralist Maasai in northern Tanzania.

As progress to eliminate trachoma is made, addressing hard-to-reach communities becomes of greater significance. Areas in Tanzania, inhabited by the Maasai, remain endemic for trachoma. This study assessed the effectiveness of Mass Drug Administration (MDA) through an ethnographic study of trachoma amongst a Maasai community. The MDA experience in the context of the livelihoods of the Maasai in a changing political economy was explored using participant observation and household interviews. Factors influencing MDA effectiveness within five domains were analysed. 1) Terrain of intervention: Human movement hindered MDA, including seasonal migration, domestic chores, grazing and school. Encounters with wildlife were significant. 2) Socio-cultural factors and community agency: Norms around pregnancy led women to accept the drug but hide refusal to swallow the drug. Timing of Community Drug Distributor (CDD) visits conflicted with livestock grazing. Refusals occurred among the ilmurrani age group and older women. Mistrust significantly hindered uptake of drugs. 3) Strategies and motivation of drug distributors: Maa-speaking CDDs were critical to effective drug delivery. Maasai CDDs, whilst motivated, faced challenges of distances, encounters with wildlife and compensation. 4) Socio-materiality of technology: Decreases in side-effects over years have improved trust in the drug. Restrictions to swallowing drugs and/or water were relevant to post-partum women and the ilmurrani. 5) History and health governance: Whilst perceptions of the programme were positive, communities questioned government priorities for resources for hospitals, medicines, clean water and roads. They complained of a lack of information and involvement of community members in health care services. With elimination in sight, hard-to-reach communities are paramount as these are probably the last foci of infection. Effective delivery of MDA programmes in such communities requires a critical understanding of community experiences and responses that can inform tailored approaches to trachoma control. Application of a critical social science perspective should be embedded in planning and evaluation of all NTD programmes.

Coal and climate change

AbstractThis overview adopts a critical social science perspective to examine the state of play and potential futures for coal in the context of climate change. It introduces key trends in coal consumption, production and trade, before reviewing the relevant literature. Finding surprisingly little literature directly focused on coal and climate change, it appraises existing work and highlights key areas for future research. In addition to established literatures on the situated politics of coal and the political economy of coal, new work calling for demand side policies to be supplemented with supply side policies highlights the increasing importance of normative contestations in driving debates over coal. This suggests that scholars must engage much more directly with climate change as an issue, and particularly with the place of coal in a just transition. Because of coal's mammoth contribution to climate change and the complex political economy which drives its production and consumption, it is likely that coal will remain at the center of difficult questions about the relationship between climate action and development for quite some time.This article is categorized under:Climate and Development > Decoupling Emissions from Development

Naturalizing pollution: a critical social science view on the link between potash mining and salinization in the Llobregat river basin, northeast Spain.

The scientific literature distinguishes between primary or natural and secondary or human-induced salinization. Assessing this distinction is of vital importance to assign liabilities and responsibilities in pollution cases and for designing the best policy and management actions. In this context, actors interested in downplaying the role of certain drivers of human-induced salinization can attempt to neglect its importance by referring to natural salinization, in a similar fashion to other pollution and health-related cases, from tobacco smoke to climate change. Potash mining, which has experienced continued growth during the last decades and is a significant contributor to salinization, is prone to originate such controversies because natural salinization from the saline geological catch can be mixed with salinization produced by mining waste such as brines and mine tailings, thus obscuring the distinction between causes. By reviewing the long-standing social and environmental conflict caused by potash mining in a region of Mediterranean climate—the Llobregat river basin—in this article, we highlight the importance of the impacts of salinization on human health and provide a critical social science perspective on salinization processes.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects’.

Making multiple ‘online counsellings’ through policy and practice: an evidence-making intervention approach

Online counselling services for a range of health conditions have proliferated in recent years. However, there is ambiguity and tension around their role and function. It is often unclear whether online counselling services are intended to provide only a brief intervention, the provision of information or referral, or constitute an alternative to face-to-face treatment. In line with recent analyses of alcohol and other drug (AOD) policy and interventions that draw on a critical social science perspective, we take an evidence-making intervention approach to examine how online counselling in the AOD field is made in policy and through processes of local implementation. In this article, we analyse how online AOD counselling interventions and knowledges are enacted in Australia’s AOD policy, and compare these enactments with an analysis of information about Australia’s national online AOD counselling service, Counselling Online, and transcripts of counselling sessions with clients of Counselling Online. We suggest that while the policy enacts online counselling as a brief intervention targeting AOD use, and as an avenue to facilitate referral to face-to-face treatment services, in its implementation in practice online counselling is enacted in more varied ways. These include online counselling as attempting to attend to AOD use and interconnected psychosocial concerns, as a potential form of treatment in its own right, and as supplementing face-to-face AOD treatment services. Rather than viewing online counselling as a singular and stable intervention object, we suggest that multiple ‘online counsellings’ emerge in practice through local implementation practices and knowledges. We argue that the frictions that arise between policy and practice enactments need to be considered by policy makers, funders, clinicians and researchers as they affect how the concerns of those targeted by the intervention are attended to.

Ayurvedic college education, reifying biomedicine and the need for reflexivity

ABSTRACTThe paper analyses the experiences with government sanctioned Ayurvedic college education of 14 young Ayurvedic doctors working at the Integrative Health Centre in Bangalore, India. Unfamiliarity with Ayurvedic logic and Indian natural philosophies, lack of clinical training and the mixing-up of Ayurvedic and biomedical notions are their main complaints. The 14 young Ayurvedic doctors also missed a convincing perspective on how to integrate Ayurvedic logic, modern scientific knowledge and biomedical diagnostics. Ayurvedic state sanctioned education seems to be caught between Ayurveda's natural philosophy of health and the techno-science of biomedicine. The Ayurvedic doctors under scrutiny face the danger of becoming ‘half-baked products’ when they do not learn to reflect on the tension between Indian traditional knowledge and biomedical learning. The paper argues that the logic of modern science and biomedicine's claim to value-free knowledge captivates Ayurvedic education and research. This hinders Ayurveda's development as a vibrant alterity to biomedicine. What is needed is a critical social science perspective on the construction of medical knowledge and India's hierarchical medical landscape.

Setting the standard: Medical Education's first 50 years.

By understanding its history, the medical education community gains insight into why it thinks and acts as it does. This piece provides a Foucauldian archaeological critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the journal Medical Education on the publication of its 50th Volume. This analysis draws upon critical social science perspectives to allow the examination of unstated assumptions that underpin and shape educational tools and practices. A Foucauldian form of CDA was utilised to examine the journal over its first half-century. This approach emphasises the importance of language, and the ways in which words used affect and are affected by educational practices and priorities. An iterative methodology was used to organise the very large dataset (12,000 articles). A distilled dataset, within which particular focus was placed on the editorial pieces in the journal, was analysed. A major finding was the diversity of the journal as a site that has permitted multiple - and sometimes contradictory - discursive trends to emerge. One particularly dominant discursive tension across the time span of the journal is that between a persistent drive for standardisation and a continued questioning of the desirability of standardisation. This tension was traced across three prominent areas of focus in the journal: objectivity and the nature of medical education knowledge; universality and local contexts, and the place of medical education between academia and the community. The journal has provided the medical education community with a place in which to both discuss practical pedagogical concerns and ponder conceptual and social issues affecting the medical education community. This dual nature of the journal brings together educators and researchers; it also gives particular focus to a major and rarely cited tension in medical education between the quest for objective standards and the limitations of standard measures.

A Case Review: Reframing School-Based Practices Using a Critical Perspective

ABSTRACTIt is well established in the literature that school-based practice is fraught with challenges such as acquisition of appropriate and sufficient resources, communication barriers among professionals, parental burden, and redundancies and gaps in services. The purpose of this perspective paper is to reframe potentially problematic school-based practices using a critical social science perspective, suggesting a vision and strategies for therapists working in the context of school-based practice. We illustrate our approach with a case example. To reframe school-based practices, we begin with Jill's case, exploring it through a critical lens to identify potential issues and opportunities for change. We then trace these findings to our larger dataset from an ongoing program of research to ensure relevance to the broader context of school-based practice. Reframing of three school-based practice issues is discussed from: (a) advocacy by proxy to collaborative dialogue, (b) governing texts to guiding texts, and (c) playing the “right” part to having a voice. Although this is a perspective paper based on a case exemplar, we posit how we may reframe and rethink school-based practices in pediatric rehabilitation. We suggest that only with a genuine shift in our professional values will we see the enactment of collaborative practice in school-based settings.

Progress in Australian planning history: Traditions, themes and transformations

Planning history is a distinctive strain in modern planning scholarship that provides dividends in the broader understanding of planning's aims, development, impacts, achievements and limitations. Since the 1970s, with the infusion of more critical social science and creative humanities perspectives, planning history has developed a global reach characterised by cross-cutting themes and international institutions but research remains largely organised on a national basis. This review of recent and cutting edge literature deals exclusively with the Australian realm: its origins, governance, preoccupations and potentials. The major focus is on recent (mainly post-2002) literature and contributions capturing of innovative takes on the historical development of planning. Like urban history, planning history takes shape primarily within topical clusters and Abbott's (2006) threefold characterisation of urban history concerns for planners provides a useful typology. Against this backdrop, the paper describes the culture, structure and progress of planning history studies from an Australian perspective. It establishes an interdisciplinary framework with other adjectival histories (architectural, urban, environmental, social), reviews recent path-breaking research organised around six major themes resonant of wider planning concerns, and reflects on directions for future research.

Toward decolonizing nursing: the colonization of nursing and strategies for increasing the counter‐narrative

Although there are notable exceptions, examination of nursing's participation in colonizing processes and practices has not taken hold in nursing's consciousness or political agenda. Critical analyses, based on the examination of politics and power of the structural determinants of health, continue to be marginalized in the profession. The goals of this discussion article are to underscore the urgent need to further articulate postcolonial theory in nursing and to contribute to nursing knowledge about paths to work toward decolonizing the profession. The authors begin with a description of unifying themes in postcolonial theory, with an emphasis on colonized subjectivities and imperialism; the application of a critical social science perspective, including postcolonial feminist theory; and the project of working toward decolonization. Processes involved in the colonization of nursing are described in detail, including colonization of nursing's intellectual development and the white privilege and racism that sustain colonizing thinking and action in nursing. The authors conclude with strategies to increase the counter-narrative to continued colonization, with a focus on critical social justice, human rights and the structural determinants of health.

The Rigidity Trap in Global Resilience: Neoliberalisation Through Principles, Standards, and Benchmarks

This article offers a critical social science perspective on the globalisation of disaster resilience. It is argued that the regulatory experimentation, typical of neoliberalisation, has begun to increase standardisation of emergency and security practices. Examples of this can be seen in the growth of general principles, non-statutory guidance, and international standards designed to improve resilience to disasters. This represents the creeping ‘neoliberalisation’ of ‘disaster resilience’. When this results in over-standardisation a ‘rigidity trap’ is created. Regulatory experimentation may enhance the resiliency of organisations and infrastructure, but when standards and benchmarks seek to create ‘resilient subjects’ and ‘resilient communities’ the positive potential is lost in bureaucratic inflexibility. The neoliberalisation of resilience, if unchecked, will undermine the very flexible capabilities and adaptive capacity it is claimed that a focus on resilience can create. Este artículo ofrece una perspectiva de ciencia social crítica sobre la globalización de la resiliencia ante los desastres. Se sostiene que la experimentación reguladora, típica del neoliberalismo, ha comenzado a aumentar la estandarización de prácticas de emergencia y seguridad. Ejemplos de esto se pueden ver en el crecimiento de principios generales, orientaciones no reglamentarias y estándares internacionales, diseñados para mejorar la resiliencia a los desastres. Esto representa el crecimiento paulatino de la ‘neoliberalización’ de la ‘resiliencia a los desastres’. Cuando esto resulta en un exceso de normalización, se crea una ‘trampa de rigidez’. La experimentación normativa puede realzar la resiliencia de organizaciones e infraestructura, pero cuando los estándares y puntos de referencia buscan crear ‘sujetos resilientes’ y ‘comunidades resilientes’, el potencial positivo se pierde en la inflexibilidad burocrática. La neoliberalización de la resiliencia, sin verificación, entorpecerá las muy flexibles habilidades y la capacidad adaptiva que un enfoque en la resiliencia puede crear. 本文提出了关于灾难恢复方面的全球化的一个社会科学批评视角，认为调控性的试验，在新自由主义化的过程中的典型的调控性的实验已经开始增加紧急状态的标准化和安全惯例。这方面的例子可见于一般性的原则、非法规性的指针，以及专门用来改进灾后恢复的国际标准的增长。这代表着“灾难恢复”的缓慢“新自由主义化”。当着产生过分标准化时，“固化性陷阱”就产生了。调控性的实验可能增进组织机构和基础设施的恢复，但是，当标准和尺度试图创造“恢复性的主题”和“恢复性的共同体”，积极的潜力就在官僚的不灵活性中丧失。恢复的新自由主义化将削弱灵活性，适应性能力据说导致了对恢复的关注。 이 글은 재해 복원의 세계화에 대한 비판적 사회과학적 관점을 제시한다. 전형적인 신자유주의화인 규제 실험은 위기와 행동의 표준화를 높이기 시작햇다. 이러한 예들은 일반적인 원칙, 법으로 정하지 않은 지침과 국제적인 표준들의 증가에서 찾을 수 있다. 이것은 은밀하게 이루어진 ‘재해 복구’의 ‘신자유주의화’ 를 보여준다. 이것이 과잉되게 표준화되었을 때, ‘경직성 덫’이 만들어진다. 규제적인 실험은 조직과 하부구조의 회복력을 높일 것이다. 그러나 표준과 기준이 ‘복구 주체’와 ‘복구 커뮤니티’를 만들고자 한다면, 긍정적인 잠재력이 관료적 경직성 속에서 사라진다. 저지되지 않는다면, 복구의 신자유주의화는 유연한 역량과 적응적 능력을 약화시킬 것이다. Эта статья предлагает критический взгляд социологии на глобализацию противодействия бедствиям. Утверждается, что регулирующее экспериментирование, типичное для неолиберализма, начало повышать уровень стандартизации аварийной и охранной практик. Примеры этого можно увидеть в росте общих принципов, неуставных руководств и международных стандартов, направленных на повышение устойчивости к бедствиям. Все это представляет собой медленно ползущий “неолиберализм” “противодействия бедствиям”. Когда эти меры приводят к сверхстандартизации, “ловушку жесткости” можно считать созданной. Регулирующее экспериментирование может повысить устойчивость организации и инфраструктуры к бедствиям, но когда стандарты и критерии стремятся создать “устойчивые субъекты” и “устойчивые сообщества”, положительный потенциал теряется в бюрократической негибкости. Неолиберализация противодействий бедствиям, если ее не остановить, будет подрывать возможности к гибкости и способности к адаптации.

The role and influence of key informants in community-engaged research: A critical perspective

With the national emphasis on engaged and action research approaches to enhance research with communities and improve research translation, conventional social science and health researchers will benefit from greater knowledge and skills in line with the underlying principles of collaboration and participation. One prominent competency is to ensure that researcher and community interests and priorities coalesce and shape all stages of the research and dissemination process. This article includes our reflection on the unique role and purpose of key informants in community-engaged research. Taking a critical social science perspective, we consider the value and challenges involved in selecting and relying on key informants to represent the community and its perspectives. Because key informants inhabit social and professional roles in communities, they are often sought by researchers to provide knowledge and information related to health promotion and education within a community. However, their identification and selection – and their perspectives about what is important and would work best for a community – must be carefully considered. We conclude this article with several recommendations for enhancing community engagement in translational research.

Evidence‐Based Healthcare in Context: Critical Social Science Perspectives

Contents: A critical social science of evidence-based healthcare Part I Evidence in Cultural and Theoretical Context: Evidence-based medicine, clinical uncertainty, and learning to doctor, Stefan Timmermans and Alison Angell Resisting stratification: imperialism, war machines and evidence-based practice, Dave Holmes and Patrick Oa (TM)Byrne. Part II Evidence in the Clinic: Communally-based evidence in the emerging practice of aorta implant surgery, Berit Brattheim, Arild Faxvaag and Aksel Tjora Embodied, embedded and encoded knowledge in practice: the role of clinical interpretation in neurorehabilitiation, Rob Flynn, Joanne Greenhalgh, Andrew Long and Sarah Tyson The histories and cultures of evidence utilisation: the cases of medical oncology and haematology, Alex Broom and Jon Adams. Part III Evidence on the Margins: Evidence-based health care and complementary and alternative medicine, Kevin Dew Patient understandings of evidence and therapeutic effectiveness, Alex Broom and Philip Tovey Evidence-based paradigms and contemporary midwifery, Caroline Homer and Alex Broom Evidence-based healthcare: the future research agenda, Anne-Grete Sandaunet and Evan Willis Index.

Towards a Critical Occupational Approach to Research

Critical approaches to research are becoming increasingly more prevalent but occupational science and critical approaches have not been explicitly combined into one approach despite the potential to enrich the understanding of the assumptions and ideologies underlying human activity. In this article we outline an approach to research that is mutually informed by occupational and critical social science perspectives. The critical occupational approach we describe can be used to explore the ways in which knowledge is produced through engagement in occupation, who controls knowledge production, the mechanisms of how occupations are taken up, and who stands to gain or lose. We discuss the implications and considerations for generating research purposes and methods and conducting analyses. We then illustrate the use of the approach through a case study. We conclude this article with consideration of the wider uses and implications of a critical occupational approach within health and social research.