Research Methods Seminar and Frameworks
Evidence and argument in the social sciences
Pedro Mendes Loureiro
Wednesday 06 November, 10:00 - 12:00 | Room S2, ARB
This seminar will provide participants with an introductory understanding of how to present research in the social sciences. The discussion will hinge on the relationship between theoretical debates, argument, analysis, and evidence, which is central to all rigorous and defensible research. Although disciplinary traditions vary, it should be helpful for a wide range of approaches within the social sciences. Students working in a cultural studies tradition will benefit less from the session, given different standards and conventions, but are welcome to attend nonetheless.
In practical terms, the session will focus on how to structure a dissertation or essay. It will be a participatory session based on analysing and unpacking two published articles. We will discuss how to do a literature review and the interconnections between how to identify a problem, how to formulate a research question, how to gather data as evidence, how to situate your work in relation to the existing literature, and how to make a diligent argument as a logical extension of evidence.
Please read the two articles listed below prior to the session. One uses quantitative data as its primary source of evidence whilst the other uses ethnographic material; one is more focussed on a specific place, the other more has a wider spatial coverage; and their main disciplinary connections also differ. Nevertheless, they share many similarities regarding their structure and style – which the session invites you to identify. When reading, do not focus on the specifics of the arguments advanced in each article, but rather try to identify their logical structure, their connection to the previously existing literature, how they use theory, how they connect the empirical material to their theoretical framework, and how they make claims to (conceptual and empirical) contributions.
During the session, we will go through the articles in some detail to unpack their structure and identify the role of different sections, paragraphs and arguments. Based on that, we will also discuss challenges you might be facing in organising your own work.
In preparation for the seminar, students are asked to read the following:
Texts
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Giuliani, E., Pietrobelli, C. and Rabellotti, R. 2005. Upgrading in Global Value Chains: Lessons from Latin American Clusters. World Development, 33(4), 549-573.
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Willis, G.D. 2014. Antagonistic Authorities and the Civil Police in São Paulo, Brazil. Latin American Research Review, 49(1), 3–22.
‘El Campo’: Preparing for Fieldwork in Latin America (for those considering doing fieldwork)
Dr. Aiko Ikemura Amaral (London School of Economics and Political Science) A.Ikemura-Amaral@lse.ac.uk
Dr Alejandra Díaz de León (El Colegio de México) abdiaz@colmex.mx
Workshop - Wednesday, 27 November 2024, 10:30 - 12:30 & 14:00 - 16:00, Room 138, ARB
This workshop will introduce and discuss themes and issues emerging from fieldwork research in Latin America, including preparation, accessing ‘the field’, conducting fieldwork and leaving ‘the field’. Together with the students we will reflect about ethical issues, power asymmetries and extractivist research, as well as ways to foster anti-colonial academic practice. We will discuss fieldwork experiences and research methods and offer students a space to raise questions, discuss potential risks and problems and talk about their own research expectations. By providing a basic toolkit for remote and in-person fieldwork and fostering awareness over best practices in research, this workshop hopes to provide a useful introduction for those aiming to go to ‘the field’ in Latin America.
Attendance requirements: Prior to the session, students are asked to fill in this form providing some information about their current research project and their previous training and experience.
Recommended or required readings: Our priority is to discuss their projects and the particularities of their fieldwork and can recommend additional readings after the session. However, any students be willing to conduct primary data collection they should ideally familiarise themselves with Cambridge’s ethics and risk assessment guidelines and processes prior to the workshop as we will discuss some of these elements there.
