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Using Social Theory
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Using Social Theory
Thinking through Research

First Edition
Edited by:

Other Titles in:
Social Research Methods

196 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
`If there is a single question that presses upon the intellect of the current generation of social scientists, it is surely: "what do the great insights of social theory imply for the way we conduct research and write about the social world?". Until now there has been no single text to turn to that explores the epistemological complexities of field work, the problems of writing and language, and of the logics of inquiry that link theory, method and evidence. Using Social Theory is a magisterial effort to open up the black-box of research methods, and to provide students, in a way that no other comparable text has done, with a road map for the practice of the contemporary human sciences' -

Michael Watts, Chancellor's Professor of Geography and Director Institute of International Studies, University of California, Berkeley

`From "theory talk to making it walk", Using Social Theory is one of the most useful and interesting books on the market. The authors demonstrate how to use philosophy and social theory as an indispensable toolkit for passionate and rigorous research. Essential reading for students and teachers in the social sciences and humanities' - Professor Elspeth Probyn, Department of Gender Studies, University of Sydney

Have you ever stopped to wonder about the influences that underpin research? If you are thinking about doing a piece of research, what difference might it make to the question you ask, to your approach to empirical work, analysis and writing of research, if you are influenced by one theoretical approach rather than another?

The chapters in this innovative guide share a common belief that thinking alongside ideas, philosophical persuasions, is an integral part of the research process; it is not an optional extra. It sets out ways to encourage the researcher to think through three key moments of the research process: the production of a research question; fieldwork; and analysis and writing.

As the authors demonstrate, research is not simply `done': it has to be thought about and thought through. The book's accessible style makes it suitable for anyone wishing to engage ideas in research in the social sciences and humanities.

Michael Pryke, Gillian Rose and Sarah Whatmore
Introduction
 
PART ONE: ASKING QUESTIONS
Gillian Rose
Introduction
John Allen
A Question of Language
Nigel Clark
The Play of the World
Gillian Rose
A Body of Questions
 
PART TWO: FRAMING A FIELD OF RESEARCH
Sarah Whatmore
Introduction
Doreen Massey
Imagining the Field
Sarah Whatmore
Generating Materials
Nigel Thrift
Practising Ethics
 
PART THREE: WRITING UP THE RESEARCH
Michael Pryke
Introduction
Mike Crang
Telling Materials
Nick Bingham
Writing Reflexively
Michael Pryke
Situated Audiences

`If there is a single question that presses upon the intellect of the current generation of human geographers, it is surely: "What do the great insights of social theory imply for the way we conduct geographic research?" Until now there has been no single text to turn to that explores the epistemological complexities of field work, the problems of writing and language, and of the logics of inquiry that link theory, method and evidence. Using Social Theory is a magisterial effort to open up the black box of research methods, and to provide students, in a way that no other geographical text has done, with a road map for the practice of geography' -

Michael Watts, Chancellor's Professor of Geography and Director Institute of International Studies, University of California, Berkeley


Very useful for those students who wish to think in a wider way about social theory and research

Ms Wendy Lejeune
Dept of Educ, Childhood & Inclusion, Sheffield Hallam University
June 29, 2016

An interesting book that has been very good for helping to generate discussion amongst postgraduate/doctoral students.

Dr Richard Whitecross
Accounting, Finacial Services and Law, Edinburgh Napier University
February 10, 2015

helpful reading, consolidated thinking and reasoning

Sara Bell
School of Health & Social Care, Chester University
January 23, 2015

For undergraduate students this offers a greater depth to support some critical analysis of social theory in research. Whatmore's examination of kinds and qualities of research materials was of particular interest.

Mrs Monica Donlon
Education and Applied Social Sciences, Stockport College
November 2, 2012

This is a very good quality book and quite unusual in its structure.

Dr Carlos Moreno-Leguizamon
Health Development, University of Greenwich
November 4, 2011

Michael Pryke

Before joining the Open University I worked in the School Management, UMIST (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology), the Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, and the Department of Geography, Queen Mary, University of London. I was a Fellow of the Institute of Advanced Study and a Fellow of St John’s College, University of Durham from 1 October to 20 December 2007. I am a co-editor of the new Journal of Cultural Economy. More About Author

Gillian Rose

My research interests lie broadly within the field of visual culture. I'm interested in visuality as a kind of practice, done by human subjects in collaboration with different kinds of objects and technologies.One long-term project, which resulted in a book from Ashgate Press in 2010, looked at family photos. I approached family snaps by thinking of them as objects embedded in a wide range of practices. I interviewed women with young children about their photos, and also looked at the politics and ethics of family snaps moving into more public arenas of display when the people they picture are the victims of violence. The book explores the... More About Author

Sarah Whatmore

Sarah is a graduate of University College London where she gained a BA (Geography) in 1981; an M.Phil. (Town Planning) in 1983 and, after a stint working for the Greater London Council, a PhD (Geography) in 1988. She spent 12 years teaching in the School of Geographical Sciences at the University of Bristol, where she was promoted to a Chair in Human Geography in 1999 and awarded a DSc for published research in 2000. She moved to the Geography Discipline at the Open University in September 2001 as Professor of Environmental Geography. Sarah has also held visiting appointments in several institutions overseas including the University of... More About Author

For instructors

SAGE Research Methods is a research methods tool created to help researchers, faculty and students with their research projects. SAGE Research Methods links over 175,000 pages of SAGE’s renowned book, journal and reference content with truly advanced search and discovery tools. Researchers can explore methods concepts to help them design research projects, understand particular methods or identify a new method, conduct their research, and write up their findings. Since SAGE Research Methods focuses on methodology rather than disciplines, it can be used across the social sciences, health sciences, and more.