What is ‘an alcohol problem’? Mapping the epistemic landscape of alcohol research
UT Principal Investigator: Dr. Sanna Jukola
UT Project Members: Dr. Bennet Francis
Summary
Science-based interventions to reduce alcohol-related harms are urgently needed. Yet there is no consensus about how to identify problematic alcohol use. Research into alcohol use is pervaded by partially conflicting conceptualizations, definitions, and operationalizations, which leads to tensions and conflicts in interdisciplinary collaboration, policy-making, and clinical practice. This exploratory philosophy of science project provides a mapping of conceptualizations in and the epistemological landscape of alcohol research. It thus aims at increasing our understanding of the conceptual and epistemological sources of conflicts in alcohol research and policy.