Why Practitioners Don’t Use Science

Abstract: In this paper, the gap between science and practice is explored through the lens of the social psychology’s theory of planned behavior.  Twenty three articles were analyzed across a variety of disciplines.  A paradigmatic analysis was conducted to categorize the primary perspectives and approaches taken on the science-practice gap.  Then, after a review of the theory of planned behavior, a second analysis was conducted.  Barriers mentioned in the literature were overlaid on the theory of planned behavior as a means to better understand the gap and unlock more effective approaches for closing it.