Reflections on Methodology

Reflections on Methodology offers a new and engaging means of teaching Honours students or those starting a PhD in Sociology about methodological issues. Instead of the usual survey approach, it shows the importance of debates about methodology, the value of an ethnographic approach and the challenges of applied research through a series of case studies. The text offers insightful short essays on methodological issues such as critical theory, interpretivism, and mixed methods, alongside Travers' reflections on significant ethnographic projects in areas like court reform, comparative criminology, and immigration control. The book combines methodological discussions with autobiographical elements, making complex research topics accessible and grounded in real-world applications. The central theme and argument are that the thoughtful sociologist should seek to move from the outside to the inside of institutions and social groups and the transformative effect on understanding is illustrated through a number of ethnographic projects. This is also an "end-of-career" book: it employs an autobiographical, narrative approach in describing how Max Travers’ intellectual interests developed, the importance of methodological debate, and the challenges of doing applied research. There are also chapters that review developments in teaching and research in universities over the last thirty years. This book offers resources that give variety and encourage Honours students to think critically about research. Each 5,000 words chapter is self-contained with an abstract, provocative guide to further reading, exercise and questions.