Sociology 448
Seminar: Social Change
Fall 2003
Dr Scott Schaffer

Discussion Questions – Methods of Social Movement Research

You should have responses to these questions prepared for each day that we read from MSMR. They will also serve you in preparation for the midterm examination on W Oct 1/2003.

1. How is this method used? What are the particular steps used in this method? How does one go about using it and deciding on what will be studied through it?

2. Who are the people studied via this method? What kinds of respondents can this method reach? Are there any kinds of people who are excluded from study through this method?

3. What variants are there of this method? Are there different ways to pursue this kind of research project? What impact would choosing one of the variants have on what can be studied?

4. What kinds of issues arise in using this method? What kind of relationship between researcher and research subjects is established using this method? What sorts of “rapport management” problems arise in using this method?

5. What kinds of information are elicited through this method? Does this method yield qualitative or quantitative data? Is it “thick description,” or is it summary information? Does this information elicited yield further possibilities for research? Is this method one that leads to “data condensing” or “data enhancing” information?

6. What modes of analysis match this data collection method? In what ways would you have to analyze the data provided through this method? Are there alternate analytic tools that could/should be used?

7. What kinds of limitations does this method suffer? What sorts of interesting research topics are excluded from study via this method? What kinds of analysis-related issues arise in using this method?

8. What methods would be parallel or complementary to this method? Are there other methods that could be used to “triangulate” the data and analysis provided through this method? Are there ways of obtaining the same data through a different method?

 

Remember:

Theory -->> Analytic Framework + Research Method + Mode of Analysis -->> Argument