Evaluating the Social Constructionist Paradigm in Housing Research

This article considers the contribution of ?social constructionist? research to housing studies. The first part of the paper discusses ?positivist? epistemologies that have provided an implicit foundation for the majority of housing research. It then examines the philosophical suppositions that underpin ?social constructionism?. This is followed by a summary of the major criticisms that can be levelled against the new research agenda, alongside a review of recent examples of housing research that draw upon social constructionism. Finally, the paper considers the future of theoretical housing research and speculates as to what can be achieved by methods based upon a social constructionist epistemology.