NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council1

Risk, Creativity & Ethics: Dimensions of

innovation in qualitative social science research

methodsMelanie Nind, Rose Wiles, Andrew Bengry-Howell, Graham Crow

University of Southampton

NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

Structure1. The nature of methodological innovation2. Three case studies3. Methods4. Findings5. Conclusions

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NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

Context

NCRM’s overall mission is to provide a strategic focal point for the identification, development and delivery of an integrated national research and training programme aimed at promoting a step change in the quality and range of methodological skills and techniques used by the UK social science community and providing support for, and dissemination of, methodological innovation and excellence within the UK.

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NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

Defining features• Should be rooted in genuine attempt to improve some

aspect of the research process (not just gimmickry or innovation for innovation sake)

• Driven by complex social relations• Can comprise developments to established methods as

well as new methods• Should (arguably) be some level of dissemination,

acceptance and take-up in the social science community (but process slow)

(Travers, 2009; Coffey and Taylor, 2008; Xenitidou and Gilbert, 2012)

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NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

Drivers of innovation• Value placed on innovation by research councils,

funders, journal editors & reviewers, REF etc• Emergence of complex new social situations,

developments in disciplines, and resulting research questions

• Affordances of new technologies• Filling methods gaps and respodonding to ethical

concerns

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NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

The CasesOnline/Virtual ethnography … Netnography

Robert Kozinets

Child-led research … Children as Researchers Mary Kellett

Creative methods … Lego Serious Play David Gauntlett

NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

Methods

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NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

Thematic analysis1. Timeliness – why this, why now2. Distinctiveness3. Contribution to the substantive area, discipline or

methods4. Process of breakthrough, acceptance and uptake5. Potential future

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NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

Findings• Innovators motivated by perceived needs,

shortcomings & ethical concerns• Process involves publication, publicity,

championing, fit with the time and mood• Innovators take & manage risks• There are dangers as well as virtues• Reflexivity is essential

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NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

Conclusions• Importance of the long view• Need for us to innovate with caution and in

response to genuine social or methodological need or opportunity

• Need for reflexivity• But where is innovation in educational

research?

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NCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research CouncilNCRM is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council

For more detail see• Nind, M., Wiles, R.A., Bengry-Howell, A. & Grow, G.P. (2012)

Methodological Innovation and Research Ethics: Forces in tension or forces in harmony? Qualitative Research i1-12.

• Wiles, R.A., Bengry-Howell, A., Nind, M. & Crow, G. (in press) But is it innovation? The development of novel methodological approaches in qualitative research, Methodological Innovation Online.

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