Jonas / Littig / Wroblewski Methodological Reflections on Practice Oriented Theories

1. Auflage 2017
ISBN: 978-3-319-52897-7
Verlag: Springer Nature Switzerland
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 268 Seiten

This volume presents a comprehensive overview of methodological issues and empirical methods of practice-oriented research. It examines questions regarding the scope and boundaries of practice-oriented approaches and practice theory. It discusses the potential advantages and disadvantages of the diversity resulting from the use of these approaches, as well as method and methodology-related issues. The specific questions explored in this volume are: What consequences are linked to the application of a praxeological perspective in empirical research when it comes to the choice of methods? Is there such a thing as an ideal path to follow in praxeological empirical research? What relationship is there between qualitative and quantitative approaches? What differentiates practice-based social research from other perspectives and approaches such as discourse analysis or hermeneutics? The contributions in this book discuss these questions either from a methodological point of view or from a reflective perspective on empirical research practices.

Michael Jonas is a senior researcher at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna¸ Division Socio-Ecological Transformation. Following a praxeological perspective, he is currently researching social inequality, injustice and unsustainability at a global level. He teaches at several universities. 
Beate Littig is a sociologist and Head of the Division Socio-Ecological Transformation Research (SET) at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna. In addition she is a permanent lecturer at the University of Vienna and teaches at international summer schools and workshops. Her research interests are the future of work, social sustainability, practices of change, gender studies and qualitative research methods. 
Angela Wroblewski is senior researcher at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Vienna, Division Socio-Ecological Transformation. Her current research focuses on the analysis of equality policies in academia and employment as well as the development of gender indicators.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Jonas, Michael

Littig, Beate

Wroblewski, Angela

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Contents;5
2;Editors and Contributors;7
3;List of Figures;11
4;List of Table;12
5;Introduction;13
6;Methodologies and Methodological Aspects of Practice Theories;20
7;1 Sociology of Social Practices: Theory or Modus Operandi of Empirical Research?;21
7.1;Abstract;21
7.2;Introduction: Procedure of Praxeologising;21
7.3;Practices and Theoretical Models of Practices;24
7.4;Praxeologising and Heuristics of Playing Games;27
7.5;Conclusion: Praxeologising by Way of Praxeography;31
7.6;Acknowledgements;34
7.7;References;34
8;2 Practice Theory as a Package of Theory, Method and Vocabulary: Affordances and Limitations;36
8.1;Abstract;36
8.2;What Is Practice Theory?;36
8.3;What Are Practices?;38
8.4;From Local Practices to the World;39
8.5;What Kind of Theory ‘Practice Theory’ Is (or Should Be)?;41
8.6;Four Ways to Use the Practice Theory–Method Package (and the Risks They Pose);43
8.6.1;Situational Orientation;44
8.6.2;Genealogic Orientation;45
8.6.3;Configurational Orientation;46
8.6.4;Conflict- Sensitive Orientation;47
8.7;Summary and Concluding Remarks;48
8.8;Acknowledgements;50
8.9;References;50
9;3 Relationality and Heterogeneity: Transitive Methodology in Practice Theory and Actor-Network Theory;52
9.1;Abstract;52
9.2;Introduction;52
9.3;Practice Theory;53
9.4;Actor-Network Theory;55
9.5;Critique and Differences;56
9.6;Conclusion: Transitive Methodology;59
9.7;References;62
10;4 Conducting Ethnography with a Sensibility for Practice;64
10.1;Abstract;64
10.2;Introduction;64
10.3;Social Practice as a Theoretical Starting Point;65
10.4;Conducting Ethnography of Practice: Some Methodological Considerations;68
10.5;Outline of a Sensibility for Practice;71
10.6;Conclusion;73
10.7;Acknowledgements;74
10.8;References;74
11;Conceptualisation of the Individual and of the Body in Practice Oriented Empirical Research;78
12;5 Embodying Practices: The Human Body as Matter (of Concern) in Social Thought;79
12.1;Abstract;79
12.2;Introduction;79
12.3;Praxeological Perspectives in Anthropology;80
12.3.1;Hinterlands of Practices;82
12.3.2;Practices Beyond the Actual;84
12.3.3;Extended/Embodied Minds in Practices;86
12.4;Methodological Consequences;88
12.5;Conclusion;90
12.6;References;91
13;6 (Re)Configuring Actors in Practice;94
13.1;Abstract;94
13.2;Introduction;94
13.3;Actors in Social Theories;95
13.3.1;Different Understandings of Actors in Practice Theories;96
13.3.2;Practicing Theory—Enacting Actors;98
13.4;Moving from Actors in Social Theory to Empirically Researching Actors;99
13.4.1;Investigating Negotiations of Actorship;100
13.4.2;Praxiographic Research Strategies;101
13.5;To Be Affected: Enacting Actors in Practice;101
13.5.1;Negotiating Affection;103
13.5.2;To Affect: Acting on, Changing and Involving Actors;104
13.6;Conclusion;105
13.7;References;106
14;7 White-Collar Bodywork: Practice Centrism and the Materiality of Knowledge Work;108
14.1;Abstract;108
14.2;Introduction;108
14.3;What Is Knowledge Work?;110
14.4;From Actor Centrism to Practice Centrism;111
14.5;Trading Derivatives as White-Collar Bodywork;114
14.5.1;Clothes;114
14.5.2;Trading Desks;115
14.5.3;Illumination and Acoustic Design;116
14.6;Reflecting on Methods of Practice-Centric Research;117
14.7;Acknowledgements;119
14.8;References;119
15;8 Personal Metrics: Methodological Considerations of a Praxiographical Approach;121
15.1;Abstract;121
15.2;Introduction: Quantifying the Self;121
15.3;The Calorie: One or Many?;123
15.3.1;The Calorie;123
15.3.2;Calorie Multiple;125
15.3.3;Efficiencies: Thermodynamics of the Body;126
15.4;Situating Praxiography;127
15.5;Calorie at Work;130
15.5.1;Food as Fuel: Calories in, Calories Out;130
15.5.2;Multiplicity Matters;131
15.5.3;Singularity;133
15.6;Tracking Selves: Towards a New Self;134
15.7;References;136
16;Empirical Practice Theory Oriented Case Studies and Methodological Reflections;138
17;9 Beyond the Body’s Skin. Describing the Embodiment of Practices;139
17.1;Abstract;139
17.2;Introduction;139
17.3;Practices Under the Sociological Microscope;140
17.4;The Case of Ballet Class;142
17.5;Practicing Battement Tendus;143
17.6;Describing ‘What Happens’ in a Tendu Exercise;145
17.7;Ways of Writing;149
17.8;Conclusion;151
17.9;References;153
18;10 Making Sense of Noise: Practice Oriented Approach to Sound;156
18.1;Abstract;156
18.2;Introduction;156
18.3;Noise: Borderline Case;157
18.4;‘Multivocality’ as Part of Ethnographic Practice;158
18.5;Diverging Perceptions;161
18.5.1;Absorbing Ways of Listening;162
18.5.2;Constructive Ways of Listening;163
18.5.3;Apparent ‘Failure’ of Making Sense;164
18.5.4;Joint Conflict;166
18.6;Conclusion;167
18.7;References;169
19;11 Combining Methods in Practice Oriented Research;171
19.1;Abstract;171
19.2;Introduction: Practice Oriented Research on Sustainable Consumption;171
19.3;Practicing Sustainability: A Comparative Multi-method Case Study in a Viennese Cohousing Project;174
19.3.1;The ‘Wohnprojekt Wien’—A Vienna Cohousing Project;174
19.3.2;Case Study: ‘Sustainable Living and Working in a Cohousing Project’;176
19.3.3;Comparing Practices Over Time: A Multi-method Approach;178
19.4;Discussion: Combining Methods in Light of Triangulation and Mixed Methods;180
19.5;Concluding Remarks;183
19.6;References;184
20;12 Understanding Everyday Kitchen Life: Looking at Performance, into Performances and for Practices;186
20.1;Abstract;186
20.2;Introduction;186
20.3;Videoing Everyday Life;187
20.4;Looking at Performance;190
20.5;Looking into Performance;192
20.6;Looking for Practices;195
20.7;Conclusion;196
20.8;References;198
21;13 Questioning the ‘Gold Standard’ Thinking in Qualitative Methods from a Practice Theoretical Perspective: Towards Methodological Multiplicity;201
21.1;Abstract;201
21.2;Introduction;201
21.3;Research Context: Cultural Contestation of Food;202
21.4;Practice Theoretical Approach to Study Contested Food;203
21.5;Potential Methodological Implications;205
21.6;Examples of Operative Methodological Procedures;207
21.7;Conclusion;210
21.8;References;210
22;14 Creativity at Work: Methodological Challenges for a Praxeological Research Program;213
22.1;Abstract;213
22.2;Introduction;213
22.3;Economy of Creativity: How to Capture Economic Innovation in Practice?;215
22.4;Creative Mind: How to Analyse Creative Imagination Praxeologically?;218
22.5;Interviewing Versus Observing: How to Analyse Social Practices of Creativity?;221
22.6;Conclusion;224
22.7;References;225
23;15 How Biologists ‘Meet’;228
23.1;Abstract;228
23.2;Introduction;228
23.3;Practices of a Particular ‘Lebenswelt’;229
23.4;Materials and Methods;230
23.5;Meeting Practices;231
23.5.1;Practicing Observation and Observing Practices;231
23.5.2;Why, When and How to Meet;233
23.5.3;Work-in-Progress Talks;234
23.5.4;Housekeeping;236
23.6;Practicing Meetings, Observing Practices;237
23.6.1;Conclusion: How to Observe What?;238
23.7;References;240
24;16 ‘Mobile Practices’, ‘Mobile Methods’ and Beyond: Studying Railway Mobility Using Lefebvre’s Theory of Space;242
24.1;Abstract;242
24.2;Introduction;243
24.3;Praxeological Studies of (Railway) Mobility and ‘Mobile Methods’ Research;244
24.4;Viewing Rail Mobility Through Lefebvre’s Theory of Space;248
24.4.1;Mobile Methods, Spatial Practices and Conceived Space;252
24.5;Conclusion;253
24.6;References;255
25;17 Object, Perspectives and Methodology of Praxeological Research;258
25.1;Abstract;258
25.2;Introduction;258
25.3;Homogeneity and Heterogeneity in Practice Theory Perspectives;259
25.4;Methodological Aspects of Praxeological Research;261
25.5;Remarks on the Object of Research—‘Social Practices’;264
25.6;Connections, Commonalities, Overlaps;266
25.7;References;267