This paper contributes to the ongoing debate about the nature of the relationship between theory and practice. It reviews traditional approaches, considers more recent ones, both within and beyoud the archival domain, and concludes that the relationship is a dynamic one. It offers a case study on the investigation of the application of appraisal theory in a range of UK archives, which demonstrates that training, experience, and intuition are of much use as theory to some practitioners, although responses are often shaped by the archivesʼorganizational setting.
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."
Yogi Berra, American Baseball player, b.1925
"There is nothing so practical as a good theory."
Kurt Lewin 1890―1947
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