Ormerod, R. J.. (2010) Justifying the methods of OR. Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol.61 (No.12). pp. 1694-1708. ISSN 0160-5682

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Operational research practitioners use mathematical, statistical, scientific, and other methods to structure and analyse issues in order to advise and assist their clients. In doing so they apply values, follow rules and use methodologies. The paper examines the justification of these methods, values and methodologies. Starting with a conceptual model drawn from the philosophy of science, a justification framework is developed for operational research (OR). Making a distinction between OR academic research and OR practice helps to clarify the issues. OR research is similar to scientific, mathematical and social science research; OR practice, as technology, is closer to engineering. While OR academic researchers will seek justification in the academic discipline within which they choose to work, it is argued that the justification of OR practice lies in its usefulness. For academic OR, justification lies in the justification of mathematics, statistics, science and social science; for practice, it is practitioners who decide what usefulness means in their context. Journal of the Operational Research Society (2010) 61, 1694-1708. doi:10.1057/jors.2009.147 Published online 2 December 2009

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of the Operational Research Society
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan Ltd.
ISSN:	0160-5682
Date:	December 2010
Volume:	Vol.61
Number:	No.12
Number of Pages:	15
Page Range:	pp. 1694-1708
Identification Number:	10.1057/jors.2009.147
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
URI:	http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/id/eprint/4912

Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge

Request changes to a record

Actions (login required)

View Item