concept work, n.All

Concept work is the act of constructing, elaborating and testing a conceptual inventory as well as specifying and experimenting with multi-dimensional diagnostic and analytic frames.

Concept work is concerned with archaeological, genealogical, and diagnostic dimensions. Archaeologically, it involves characterizing concepts as part of a prior repertoire or structured conceptual ensemble. Genealogically, it shows the contingent history of a concept's selection, formation, as well as its potential contemporary significance. Diagnostically, it involves a critical function: Testing the adequacy and appropriateness of a given concept or repertoire of concepts to new problems and purposes.