Abstract

Elqayam & Evans (E&E) argue that evaluative normativism leads to unacceptable research biases, and should be avoided. Though it is stipulated that the particular biases they discuss are cause for concern, this argument should not be generalized. The boundary between evaluative and goal-directed norms is difficult to define, and normative assumptions are an integral part of academic progress; moreover, the biases that result may have beneficial potential