Williams, Malcolm and Brookfield, Charlotte  ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7798-9756
2025.
Linking theory and methods: teaching methodologies to sociology students.
Foster, Liam, Mason, Will and Nichols, Kitty, eds.
Teaching Research Methods in Sociology,
Elgar Guides to Teaching,
Cheltenham:
Elgar,
pp. 29-41.
(10.4337/9781035320226.00012)
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Abstract
Social research methods are grounded in theory, yet without an awareness of theoretical foundations, research methods become reactive with a narrow apprehension of validity. Method choices depend on methodological assumptions and these in turn are grounded in ontology and epistemology. Whilst we believe it is counterproductive to reify theory in social research, we equally believe that some foundational grasp makes for better researchers. Teaching theoretical awareness in methods modules is challenging, but just as methods should be embedded in substantive modules, theoretical thinking should be integrated into methods teaching. Embedding means that such awareness is taught, not through abstract theory, but as part of teaching design and analysis. By theory, we refer not to grand social theory but to epistemological positions like positivism and interpretivism. This chapter uses exemplars from our methods teaching, along with student exercises which we have used in an integrated embedding approach to theory within methods.
| Item Type: | Book Section |
|---|---|
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Status: | Published |
| Schools: | Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) |
| Publisher: | Elgar |
| ISBN: | 9781035320219 |
| Last Modified: | 18 Feb 2026 10:16 |
| URI: | https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/184956 |
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