|
Method in the Madness is presented as a companion to researchers investigating the complex world of work. Rather than a 'How to' text on performing research, this book presents a record of experiences. Research so often evolves in the field or the planning stages and a successful researcher need to be aware of serendipitous opportunities as they arise and how to solve problems as they occur. The book comprises an introduction written by the editors followed by thirteen chapters written by different contributors. The introduction draws together the disparate experiences that follow and discusses the ways in which the contributors, all of whom are respected researchers, dealt with and learned from the research experience. In the following chapters, the contributors describe and reflect on the research process, the challenges they met during their research and the lessons learned. The style varies, but includes narratives, anecdotes and descriptions of individuals' experiences as research was designed and carried out and the results generated. Presents twelve chapters of research experiences where the researcher learnt more about performing research whilst 'in the field' than they did from prescriptive textsRepresents a fresh and accessible look at research and research methods Serendipity and flexibility in social science research : meeting the unexpected Keith Townsend and John Burgess -- There are ways and then there are ways : conducting research in social settings in Japan Kaye Broadbent -- "On the mop floor" : researching employment relations in the hidden world of commercial cleaning Shaun Ryan -- Drinking with Dessie : research, mines and life in the Pilbara Brandon Ellem -- Combating information suspicion : Guiness, sports and glassblowing Paul Ryan and Tony Dundon -- What lies beneath : the pleasures, pain and possibilities of focus groups Barbara Pocock [and others] -- Looking through the haze of discontent : smokers as a data source Robin Price and Keith Townsend -- Interviewing men : reading more than the transcripts Barbara Pini -- Establishing rapport : using quantitative and qualitative methods in tandem Alan Felstead [and others] -- Wrong way, go back! : negotiating access in industry-based research Paula McDonald, Keith Townsend, and Jennifer Waterhouse -- A sporting chance : workplace ethnographies, ethics protocols and playin by the rules Jennifer Sappey -- Sitting on the wall in Northumberland crying : semi-structured interviews Vikki Abusidualghoul [and others] -- Researching train-based working Donald Hislop -- A story about being engaged in research : buzzing bees, small business and Australian unfair dismissal laws Rowena Barrett -- Lessons learnt from this madness Jennifer Sappey, Keith Townsend and John Burgess. - Method in the Madness is presented as a companion to researchers investigating the complex world of work. Rather than a 'How to' text on performing research, this book presents a record of experiences. Research so often evolves in the field or the planning stages and a successful researcher need to be aware of serendipitous opportunities as they arise and how to solve problems as they occur. The book comprises an introduction written by the editors followed by thirteen chapters written by different contributors. The introduction draws together the disparate experiences that follow and discusses the ways in which the contributors, all of whom are respected researchers, dealt with and learned from the research experience. In the following chapters, the contributors describe and reflect on the research process, the challenges they met during their research and the lessons learned. The style varies, but includes narratives, anecdotes and descriptions of individuals' experiences as research was designed and carried out and the results generated. Presents twelve chapters of research experiences where the researcher learnt more about performing research whilst 'in the field' than they did from prescriptive textsRepresents a fresh and accessible look at research and research methods
|
