Using Social Theory
Thinking Through Research

The chapters in this innovative guide share a common belief that thinking alongside ideas is an integral part of the research process. This book encourages the researcher to think through three key moments of the research process: the production of a research question; fieldwork; and analysis and writing.

Essential reading for students and teachers in the social sciences and humanities' - Professor Elspeth Probyn, Department of Gender Studies, University of Sydney. Have you ever stopped to wonder about the influences that underpin research? If you are thinking about doing a piece of research, what difference might it make to the question you ask, to your approach to empirical work, analysis and writing of research, if you are influenced by one theoretical approach rather than another? The chapters in this innovative guide share a common belief that thinking alongside ideas, philosophical persuasions, is an integral part of the research process; it is not an optional extra. It sets out ways to encourage the researcher to think through three key moments of the research process: the production of a research question; fieldwork; and, analysis and writing. As the authors demonstrate, research is not simply 'done': it has to be thought about and thought through. This book's accessible style makes it suitable for anyone wishing to engage ideas in research in the social sciences and humanities.

Introduction - Michael Pryke, Gillian Rose and Sarah Whatmore PART ONE: ASKING QUESTIONS Introduction - Gillian Rose A Question of Language - John Allen The Play of the World - Nigel Clark A Body of Questions - Gillian Rose PART TWO: FRAMING A FIELD OF RESEARCH Introduction - Sarah Whatmore Imagining the Field - Doreen Massey Generating Materials - Sarah Whatmore Practising Ethics - Nigel Thrift PART THREE: WRITING UP THE RESEARCH Introduction - Michael Pryke Telling Materials - Mike Crang Writing Reflexively - Nick Bingham Situated Audiences - Michael Pryke