The public's problem with public health research

Public health research is divided into factions which are oftenengaged in bitter theoretical and methodological disputes, especiallywhen issues of funding are discussed. From the perspective ofa user of health services, these rivalries are an obstacle topublic health. This paper explores three approaches to understandingthe foundations of these differences. The first is a discussionof disciplinary sub-cultures, the second a brief discussionof a philosophy of knowledge and the third a social perspectiveon paradigms. The unifying theme is the idea of disciplinarysub-cultures.