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This article starts from the premise that, for all its diverse ideals and technical bases, the core of planning is an ability to favourably influence collective spatial concerns. The location of practice within spatial governance means that the 'worth' of planning theories often depends upon the nature of governance itself in given places and times. In this article, three layered vignettes of practice in Victoria, Australia are presented to demonstrate the importance of governance settings to the value and success of selected planning theories at different geographical and temporal scales. The vignettes examine: the introduction of new planning legislation in Victoria, Australia; the take-up of medium density housing; and the influence of communicative planning on participation. The article concludes that the effects of theory upon practice depend upon institutional circumstances, and that theory, and its users, must address this to be effective and to prevent unintended outcomes.

Current sociological theories appear to have lost their general persuasiveness in part because, unlike the theories of the 'classical era', they fail to maintain an integrated stance toward society, and the practical role that sociology plays in society. The authors explore various facets of this failure and possibilities for reconstructing sociological theories as integrated wholes capable of conveying a moral and political immediacy. They discuss the evolution of several concepts (for example, the social, structure, and self) and address the significant disputes (for example, structuralism v

'This paper outlines the concerns of the author with Qualitative Data Analysis' (QDA) numerous remodelings of Grounded Theory (GT) and the subsequent eroding impact. He cites several examples of the erosion and summarize essential elements of classic GT methodology. It is hoped that the article will clarify his concerns with the continuing enthusiasm but misunderstood embrace of GT by QDA methodologists and serve as a preliminary guide to novice researchers who wish to explore the fundamental principles of GT.' (author's abstract)|

This paper explores the grounded theory method as one of the research strategies within a qualitative approach to research which is widely used in social sciences in areas such as sociology, education, political science as well as others. At the beginning we generally indicate what the essence of grounded theory method is. We analyze the steps that form integral parts of the method like data collection, creation of codes and concepts, hypotheses about connections and ultimately generation of the theory. We particularly highlight significant principles that characterize the grounded theory method such as theoretical sampling, method of constant comparison and application of theoretical saturation. Analyses served to comprehend the importance and role of all parts of the process of grounded theory method and requirements which it place upon researchers who want it use it successfully. Apart from detail analyses of every aspect of grounded theory method in possible application of the method, we deal with some criticism, complaints and doubts about how to use the method to realize possible shortcomings. They are related to the general qualitative approach but also to the requirements of methodological rigor that are placed in front of researchers and the specificities related to way of generating theory. Based on the above we discuss the reach of grounded theory method such as its possible applications. In conclusion, we stress the importance and highlight possible future perspective of the grounded theory method as a research strategy within a qualitative approach.

"The Unified Growth Theory is receiving increasing attention from growth theorists since the seminal work of Galor and Weil (1999, 2000). These authors emphasize the need for a unified theory of growth that could account for the transition from Malthusian Stagnation to the Modern Growth Regime (1999). This interest is motivated by the lack of explanation and knowledge regarding the historical evolution of the relationship among population growth, technological change and the standard of living. This paper gives an overview of the Unified Growth Theory, its determinants and its implications." (author's abstract)