Consumer Sciences Research: A Two‐Decade Comparison, 1980s and 1990s

Recent family and consumer science (FCS) conceptualizations of specialization embrace the notions of interdisciplinary specialist, integration of perspectives, integral specialist and a generalist in transdisciplinarity. These innovations open the door for a conversation around the impact of research methodologies (different from methods) on the profession’s body of knowledge. Conventional metatheory is explained, with four examples from the field of FCS. The paper then introduces the idea of integral metatheory, asking practitioners to strive for a deeper understanding of theoretical pluralism and a new form of synthesis: being able to integrate the results obtained from the integration of several theoretical perspectives. Instead of practicing from a platform of many individual theories, FCS professionals are asked to employ integral metatheory so they can consciously develop links among the theories and multiple perspectives, thereby leading to richer understandings of the complexity of the human condition.

Section: Fcs Metatheory Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Traditions Of Pluralism and Metatheory Within Fcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integral Metatheory: Beyond Specializations, Theoretical Pluralism, and Conventional Metatheory

McGregor

2009

“…He identified the societal trends influencing the focus on particular topics and concluded that most research focused on two areas: (a) financial and economic resources and (b) human resources, including time. Reynolds and Abdel-Ghany (2001) reviewed the family, consumer and consumption economics, household management, and family financial planning and counseling research published in four journals during the two decades 1980 to 1999. About the same number of articles (and the same percentage of total articles from all five areas) fit the household management classification in each decade.…”

Section: Research About the Fieldmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Treatise to Textbook: A History of Writing About Household Management

Nickols¹

2008

The origins of contemporary writing about household management in the United States have been traced back to Catharine Beecher's A Treatise on Domestic Economy. The expansion of academic programs in home economics, the rise of research using the scientific method, and the changing economic and social conditions during the early 20th century contributed to the transition from treatises offering household advice based on Christian precepts and customary roles to more analytical approaches to household management and the publication of textbooks for college courses. Using qualitative research methods, this study traced the 75‐year history of home management/family resource management textbooks published in the United States. The themes found throughout this period show both subtle shifts and dramatic changes in seven areas of analysis: the rationale for studying home management, the theoretical conceptualization of management, what is managed, individual and family concepts within home management, internal/external emphasis on resource management, pedagogical style, and audience.

“…There was a noticeable increase in the use of secondary data research studies. For a detailed assessment of research published in 1980s, see Reynolds and Abdel-Ghany (2001). Another publication outlet, Lifestyles: Family and Economic Issues (currently the Journal of Family and Economic Issues), was launched in 1980.…”

Section: The Decade Of 1970-1979mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Employment of multivariate techniques was widespread, including ones that were not used in previous decades, such as the double-hurdle model. For a detailed assessment of research published in 1990s, see Reynolds and Abdel-Ghany (2001).…”

Section: The Decade Of 1990-1999mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Evolution of Research in Consumer Science: A 200‐Year Perspective

Abdel‐Ghany

2001

Self Cite

This article traces the evolution of research in consumer science and highlights historical, social, institutional, and economic events that shaped the field. It gives an overview of research conducted from the late 1790s to the 1990s in the areas of family economics, consumer economics, consumption economics, and home management and chronicles legislative and administrative developments that affected consumer science research. Research topics, the use of theory or lack thereof, and typical statistical techniques are summarized at the end of each historic period.