Citation

Turner RH. Int. J. Mass Emerg. Disasters 1989; 7(3): 265-275.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, International Sociological Association, International Research Committee on Disasters)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In outlining and sensitively examining some of the major problems of theory development in disaster studies, and in offering a coherent proposal for dealing with these problems, Kreps has performed an important service. I would underline his emphasis on a life history approach in disaster study, his characterization of disaster as a sensitizing concept, and his focus on finding ways to make theory development and testing a collective enterprise while allowing sufficient scope for individual creativity. The task of mining the archives that contain decades of disaster research in order to facilitate the development of disaster theory is a challenging but important one. Kreps' sustained and thoughtful dedication to this task has already augmented our understanding of disaster response and identified promising ways of generalizing from the multitude of case studies. Altogether, I find more to agree with than to disagree with in his statement. However, I am skeptical of the value of approaching theory development by way of so great an emphasis on taxonomy. Any approach that involves the careful study of case materials can produce serendipitous insights for those whose minds are flexible enough to recognize them. But I am alarmed at the proposal "that taxonomy become a central preoccupation of the [International Sociological Association's Disaster Research] Committee, and also this journal.