Blog list | School of Social and Political Science

Image of people sat around tables, talking, with trees around

31/05/2024

An Introduction to Utopia as Method

What would radically improve the quality of your life? The quality of your family’s life? The quality of your friends’ lives? And their family and friends’ lives?

By Dr Rebecca Hewer

28/03/2024

Is there a place for generative AI in sociological research? The coming crisis of ‘the coming crisis of empirical sociology’

Generative Artificial intelligence has barely been out of the headlines in 2023. As we move into 2024, the expectation is that this is the year in which the rubber will meet the road, with hype and speculation either crystallising into a set of core use cases, business models, and designs, or alternatively collapsing entirely into another ‘AI winter’.

By Ben Collier
Lecturer in Digital Methods
Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

20/02/2024

NCRM: How do you analyse large amounts of qualitative data? Try our step-by-step guide

This blog is a re-print of a blog originally published by National Centre for Research Methods on 12th February 2024, and is available here: https://www.ncrm.ac.uk/news/show.php?article=5812’

"How to work with such large volumes of data and yet retain the depth and richness of analytic engagement that is the hallmark of rigorous qualitative analysis? This was the methodological question that motivated our team and led to our development of a breadth-and-depth approach to analysing large volumes of qualitative data, in our NCRM work package Working across qualitative longitudinal studies: feasibility study looking at care and intimacy (2015-2019)."

Image of Howalygmaa, a Tuvan shaman playing traditional instrument.

25/01/2024

Sensorial Ethnographies: Ethnography in Sound by Dr Mally Stelmaszyk

What does it mean to do and think things through sound? What kind of insides about the world can sound reveal when used as a method of inquiry?

Neon question mark in a graffiti'd underpass

21/04/2023

Using survey research to decolonise the meanings of democracy

Dr Carin Runciman and Ms Boitumelo Matlala reflect on using surveys in a decolonial research design.

Two people, faces not shown, holding mobile phones

28/02/2023

Gendered Risks in Survey Research

Dr Carin Runciman considers gendered risks in survey research, an aspect that is frequently overlooked within the teaching of the method.

Aerial drone shot urban city busy road intersection

21/02/2023

Locating Intersectionality Sociologically

Dr Kevin Ralston seeks to contextualise intersectionality in relation to preceding sociological research.

01/02/2023

The social mission of research methods in a fractured information society

Read the first post in the 'Untangling Methods Controversies' blog series.

24/11/2022

Summer Internship at ScotCen

Sophie Birtwistle, a 4th year Q-Step student, explains how skills learned on her degree transferred to a workplace internship with ScotCen.

27/10/2022

How to Share Your Code Anonymously with Your Dissertation

Dr Roxanne Connelly outlines how to anonymously share your code with your dissertation.

20/10/2022

Entering the Buffer Zone: Conducting Participatory and Collaborative Research

Dr Hayley Bennett and Dr Richard Brunner summarise their recent methodological publications exploring the practices, ethics and realities of participatory and collaborative research.

Aerial view of female sitting on a bed surrounded by a diary, books and a laptop

27/07/2022

Applying for a Sociology or Social Policy PhD in the UK: An Insider Guide

Dr Roxanne Connelly and Dr Kevin Ralston share their five top tips for applying for a PhD in the UK.

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