Methodological Choice and Design

Abstract

This Book Series is devoted to examining and solving the major methodological problems social sciences are facing. Take for example the gap between empirical and theoretical research, the explanatory power of models, the relevance of multilevel analysis, the weakness of cumulative knowledge, the role of ordinary knowledge in the research process, or the place which should be reserved to "time, change and history" when explaining social facts. These problems are well known and yet they are seldom treated in depth in scientific literature because of their general nature. So that these problems may be examined and solutions found, the series prompts and fosters the setting-up of international multidisciplinary research teams, and it is work by these teams that appears in the Book Series. The series can also host books produced by a single author which follow the same objectives. Proposals for manuscripts and plans for collective books will be carefully examined. The epistemological scope of these methodological problems is obvious and resorting to Philosophy of Science becomes a necessity. The main objective of the Series remains however the methodological solutions that can be applied to the problems in hand. Therefore the books of the Series are closely connected to the research practices. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work.Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com) AcknowledgementsThis book emerged from methodological discussions among researchers from education, social work and social policy as part of a series of methodology colloquia under the heading 'Bridging and Blending Disciplines of Inquiry: Approaching Research and Research Approaches in Education and Social Work', held at The University of Sydney, Australia, during 2009. These researchers were concerned with the methodological challenges that faced research students and experienced researchers who aim to design projects that have the potential both to advance scholarly knowledge and to contribute to solving contemporary social problems. Successful scholars doing research projects that make a practical difference were invited to discuss the nature and consequences of their methodological and design choices. This book is one legacy of the resulting debates.A number of people have contributed to this project along the way. First, members of the colloquia steering committee -Professor