Methods for Mortals: Sociology for a New Sociological Methodology

Three challenges haunt all social research: How to minimize the temptations to professional narcissism when intermediating the relationship of readers and subjects? How to test findings on the understanding that the social world of prior studies can never be reentered? How to rationalize the inevitable leap beyond the geographic boundaries of what one has studied? Relative to the quantitative researcher, the qualitative researcher remains naked in the face of the seductions of self-reflective imagery, the hubris of denying the ceaseless passing of the known social world, and the absurdities of generalization. But qualitative researchers can find a logic for their methods by shaping the sociology of the research process to create relationships with readers and subjects that challenge narcissism; draw readers into an ongoing research process; and avoid the concerted ignorance of academic clubs in favor of empowering subjects to falsify claims.