Three types of knowledge in competency based professional education: The integration of subjective, professional, and scientific theories

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the role of subjective, professional, and scientific theories in professional training, and to develop a proposal that integrates them in the context of a competency-based approach. Based on analyses of empirical and theoretical studies on professional training, it is argued that professionals shaped their professional performances from three types of knowledge: scientific, professional and subjective theories. These last two types of knowledge have scarcely been addressed. From this, it is concluded that it is necessary to integrate them into a systematic approach that involves research and academic training. In this way, we can contribute that professionals deal more effectively with the complex social and environmental problems that our society nowadays faces.