Paradigms, methods and the epistemology of speech pathology: some comments on Eastwood (1988)

Eastwood argues that speech pathology lacks core paradigms (British Journal of Disorders of Communication (1988) vol. 23, pp. 171-184). She suggests that a main reason for this failure is a reliance on conventional (experimental) scientific method, and that the use of qualitative methods may provide a more fruitful approach. The present paper contends that, whilst increased attention might usefully be paid to qualitative methods, the issue of method is secondary in the development of paradigms. Further, an analysis of the knowledge base of speech pathology shows that the discipline is an epistemological hybrid which, sui generis, resists conceptual unification and the development of a high paradigmatic consensus. Hence, the prospect of attaining core or over-arching paradigms for speech pathology is small. The present need is to develop a range of interesting and fruitful ideas and hypotheses for the several different facets of speech pathology, rather than to be too concerned about the development of over-arching paradigms and issues of method.