After Method: Mess in Social Science Research (International Library of Sociology) - Softcover

Law, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415341752 ISBN 13: 9780415341752

Publisher: Routledge, 2004

Synopsis

John Law argues that methods don't just describe social realities but are also involved in creating them. The implications of this argument are highly significant. If this is the case, methods are always political, and it raises the question of what kinds of social realities we want to create. Most current methods look for clarity and precision. It is usually said that only poor research produces messy findings, and the idea that things in the world might be fluid, elusive, or multiple is unthinkable. Law's startling argument is that this is wrong and it is time for a new approach. Many realities, he says, are vague and ephemeral. If methods want to know and help to shape the world, then they need to reinvent themselves and their politics to deal with mess. That is the challenge. Nothing less will do.

About this title

About the Author

John Law is Professor of Sociology and STS (Science and Technology Studies) at Lancaster University. He has written widely on the sociology of science and technology, organisation, health-care, disasters, and social theory and methods, where his continuing concern has been with the materiality and spatiality of complexity.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415341752
• ISBN 13: 9780415341752
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 200