Reflexive methodology : new vistas for qualitative research / Mats Alvesson, Kaj Skoldberg

Previous editions: 2000, 2009

Includes bibliographical references (pages 399-428) and index.

Chapter 1. Introduction: The Intellectualization of Method Chapter 2. (Post-)Positivism, Social Constructionism, Neorealism: Three Reference Points in the Philosophy of Science Chapter 3. Data-Oriented Methods: Empiricist Techniques and Procedures Chapter 4. Hermeneutics: Interpretation and Insight Chapter 5. Critical Theory: The Political and Ideological Dimension Chapter 6. Poststructuralism And Postmodernism: Destabilizing Subject and Text Chapter 7. Language/Gender/Power: Discourse Analysis, Feminism and Genealogy Chapter 8. On Reflexive Interpretation: The Play of Interpretive Levels Chapter 9. Applications of Reflexive Methodology: Illustrations Chapter 10. Applications of Reflexive Methodology: Criteria and Strategies

Reflexivity is an essential part of the research process. Mats Alvesson and Kaj Sköldberg make explicit the links between techniques used in empirical research and different research traditions, giving a theoretically informed approach to qualitative research. The authors provide balanced reviews and critiques of the major schools of grounded theory, ethnography, hermeneutics, critical theory, postmodernism and poststructuralism, discourse analysis, genealogy and feminism. Useful reading for students and researchers across the social sciences. The first edition established itself as a ground-breaking success, providing researchers with an invaluable guide to a central problem in research methodology - namely, how to put field research and interpretations in perspective, paying attention to the interpretive, political and rhetorical nature of empirical research. The second edition introduced a new chapter on positivism, social constructionism and critical realism, and offered new conclusions on the applications of methodology. This third edition of Reflexive Methodology provides further updates on new research, including neorealism, and illustrations and applications of reflexive methodology in formulating research strategies, that build on the acclaimed and successful previous editions. --uk.sagepub.com