ABSTRACT
This book focuses on theoretical perspectives that inform research in key topical areas of family science. 1 Along with most scholars, we share a strong belief in the value of theory in the empirical process. Conducting research without theory is analogous to building a new house without a set of blueprints. In fact, we argue that one cannot conduct research without at least an implicit theoretical orientation, just as one cannot build a house without having some type of blueprint, no matter how poorly defi ned. Builders (and researchers) may think that they can engage in their craft without having an underlying blueprint (or theoretical perspective), but every step in the construction (or empirical) process requires some foundational sense of future direction. The lack of a theoretical perspective is not an option; the choice is the extent to which one uses theory explicitly and deliberately versus implicitly and outside of conscious awareness.
