Social Science Methodology Research Articles

Citizen social science and pathways to prosperity: co-designing research and impact in Beirut, Lebanon

ABSTRACT This article argues for a citizen social science methodology in which residents from the sites of inquiry play a central role in key activities of the research process and beyond: research design and data collection, presentation and publication of findings, and design and implementation of urban interventions that address challenges to quality of life. This is a way of democratising the research process through sustained engagement with communities and an emphasis on co-designing pathways to impact. The article draws on the authors’ experience of running a citizen social science project in Beirut, Lebanon, where citizen scientists, university academics, and NGOs have worked collaboratively to understand what prosperity means for local residents, develop context-specific measures of prosperity, and design and implement small-scale interventions for local challenges.

The professional skills’ school “Bioethics and Medical law” is opened at the institute of social sciences of Sechenov University

The article is devoted to the opening of the Professional skills school "Bioethics and Medical Law" based on the Institute of Social Sciences at Sechenov University in September 2020. The project Professional skills schools has been existing at Sechenov University since 2014. The School's program consists of three training modules: "Fundamentals of Bioethics", "Bioethics: a medical and sociological view" and "Medical Law". The purpose of the School "Bioethics and Medical Law" is the in-depth training of graduate students in the field of bioethics, medical law and the sociology of medicine to acquire additional knowledge, skills and abilities to analyze ethical and legal problems of clinical practice and research activities in the field of biomedicine. Students at the School get a unique opportunity to study not only the theoretical aspects of bioethics, but also to gain practical skills in solving ethical problems in medical practice based on approaches using the methodology of social and humanitarian sciences.

Doing new materialist data analysis: a Spinozo-Deleuzian ethological toolkit

ABSTRACT With growing social science interest in new materialist and posthuman ontologies, it is timely to explore how these may translate practically into social research methodologies. This task is complicated by differing interpretations of how new materialist precepts should shape research. This paper aims to fill a gap in the literature by setting out a methodology using one specific thread within the new materialisms: Deleuzian ‘ethology’. Inspired by Spinoza’s Ethics, Deleuze established a conceptual toolkit for ethological inquiry, comprising ‘relation’, ‘assemblage’, ‘affect’ and ‘capacity’. We show how this toolkit translates into a design for analysing empirical data. Effective data analysis also depends on the adequacy and appropriateness of earlier stages in the research process. We therefore also consider an ethological approach to setting a research question, choosing data collection methods and presenting study findings. We conclude with some reflections on the challenges of translating philosophical theory into social science methodology.

Couples extrinsic emotion regulation questionnaire: Psychometric validation in a Chilean population.

The way couples regulate their emotions affects the quality of their relationship. Despite this, no evidence-based scales of validity and reliability can measure the intention to regulate emotions in the romantic dyad. In order to address this gap, we developed the Couples Extrinsic Emotion Regulation (CEER) questionnaire. First, we adapted the “Others” subscale from the Emotion Regulation of Others and Self questionnaire (EROS) for any close relationship to measure the intention to regulate emotions in couples; second, the psychometric properties of the CEER questionnaire were studied. For the content validity assessment, 23 experts (47.8% of whom worked in social and health psychology and the psychology of emotions, 17.4% in couples’ therapy, and 34.8% in social science methodologies) participated. A total of 528 Chileans completed the online CEER questionnaire, the relationship satisfaction scale (RAS) and dyadic adjustment scale (DAS): 27.8% were male, age M = 38.7, SD = 10.05, and time of the relationships M = 11.27, SD = 9.82. The content-based validity study made it possible to determine which items to include in the final version. Two unrelated first-order factors structure of the original test fit (RMSEA = .052, GFI = .97, AGFI = .95; CFI = .99; NFI = .98; and NNFI = .98). The CEER+ and CEER- factors presented adequate internal consistency (α = .79; ω = .80 and α = .85; ω = .85, respectively). The discrimination index of the factors were excellent (CEER+ = .55 and CEER- = .63). Validity evidence based on the relations to other variables showed a direct positive relation between CEER+, RAS and overall DAS, as well as their factors; and a negative relation between CEER-, RAS overall DAS, as well as their factors. The use of this instrument is recommended for the identification of Chilean couples where at least one of the partners has a less favorable opinion of their relationship, providing relevant data for couple’s therapy.

Las plantas medicinales, patrimonio natural y cultural de la Reserva Hídrica Natural y Recreativa Bamba, La Calera, Córdoba, Argentina

Herbal medicine has played a leading role in the health systems of many traditional societies. The main objective is to characterize an aspect of the natural and culturalheritage of a protected area of the town of La Calera, through the documentation of medicinal plants of the Bamba Water and Recreational Nature Reserve (RNHRB), in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. Methodologies of social and natural sciences, typical of ethnoecological approaches, were combined, complementing with qualitative and quantitative analyzes. A total of 221 uses corresponding to 137 medicinal species were documented. The most relevant families in terms of quantity of species and uses are Asteraceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae. In all cases the native / wild status predominates. Applications associated with gastrointestinal conditions are the most frequent, followed by dermatological, pneumonological, infectological and nephrological. It is concluded that herbal medicine in protected areas provides valuable information and efforts for the conservation of biocultural heritage in intangible rural areas with urbanized spaces, as well as for the potencial knowledge and use of resources by small local producers.

On the importance of the dynamics of humour and comedy for constructionism and reflexivity in social science research methodology

ABSTRACT Humour and comedy have gained increased significance in academic research in recent years. This article examines the importance of humour and comedy as valuable tools in qualitative social science research methodology. It makes the original contribution of utilizing humour and comedy theory, and critical understandings of both their macro and micro mechanisms and functions, to argue that humour and comedy can accommodate, and indeed, expedite, social science research methodology in relation to two key principles: constructionism and reflexivity. This represents a significant and rigorous theoretical contribution to not just humour and comedy theory but the paradigm of qualitative social science methodology. Following a review of the benefits of using humour and comedy in qualitative research, the article considers how the broader theories and more intricate mechanics of humour and comedy can facilitate research into the social world, examining how humour and comedy can inform and develop constructionism and reflexivity.

Evidential pluralism and evidence of mechanisms in the social sciences

Is evidential pluralism possible when we move to the social sciences, and if so, to what degree? What are the analytical benefits? The answer put forward in this article is that there is a tradeoff between how serious social science methodologies take the study of mechanisms and the analytical benefits that flow from evidential pluralism. In the social sciences, there are a range of different approaches to studying mechanisms, differentiated by (1) the degree to which the ‘process’ is unpacked theoretically, and (2) whether the approach takes seriously the particular nature of social phenomena and the epistemological consequences that flow from this, as in realist approaches to the study of mechanisms, or whether more neopositivist-based foundational assumptions are adopted. Depending on which approach to study mechanisms is used, evidential pluralism is either: easy but superficial, very productive but challenging, or almost impossible because of the fundamental differences between the types of claims being made and the forms of evidence used.

The Normative Implications of Recent Empirical Neuroethics Research on Moral Intuitions

Empirical neuroethics models have always had normative ambitions. Older models (e.g., dual process) attempted to debunk traditional moral theories, whereas newer models (e.g., ADC model) attempt to fit their empirical and normative claims with them. The issue of normative significance as it pertains to the use of social science methodology on moral intuitions remains open. This paper analyzes the Is/Ought gap and the empirical underpinnings of influential constructivist approaches in order to argue that the normative ambitions of empirical neuroethics models are not necessarily always misguided. The author clarifies how legitimate normative implications can be dissociated from overreaches and argues that moral intuitions could be used as the factual basis for ethics by employing the distinction between natural facts, social facts, and social constructs. Ultimately, morality can be fruitfully studied and informed by natural and social sciences and, thorough ethical reflection, ought also to inform empirical research.

Pesky Polygamist Women: The Marginalization of Qualitative Data in British Columbia’s Charter Reference on Polygamy

AbstractThis paper explores the thorny mingling of law with qualitative social science methodologies through the lens of the 2010–11 Supreme Court of British Columbia Charter Reference on polygamy, which was conducted to determine whether the criminalization of polygamy was consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Reference reveals how the marginalization of qualitative research(ers) effectively controlled whose voices were to be heard and whose were to be silenced in the broader project of sovereign intervention into family formation. With specific focus on Professor Angela Campbell, who provided expert opinion testimony in the Reference, this paper reflects on two important questions: when social science is invoked in legal settings, whose knowledge is legitimized, and who benefits from this legitimization? Drawing upon the longstanding feminist project of deconstructing assumptions of value-neutrality in all science, this paper considers how qualitative, feminist research(ers) may be inherently at odds with law’s quest for (rational) “truth.”

The commercialization of responsibility in European Union’s migration policy

Background. The extraterritorialisation of European Union’s policy has been recognised for years as an effective tool for combating irregular migration. The so-called migration crisis has opened a critical discussion on the compliance of eu external activities with international law. The practice of extraterritorialisation redefines the values of the Western world.Aim. We identify the EU’s extraterritorial activities in the area of asylum policy and irregular migration control. We have critically analysed the agreements with Libya and Turkey. On a theoretical background, we have recognised a need to extend Gammeltoft-Hansen’s concept of commercialising sovereignty. Therefore, we proposed a term of commercialisation of responsibility. Our proposal combines concepts of extraterritorialisation, harmful state practices and the associated consequences for human rights.Methodology. In our research we applied a qualitative methodology of social and political sciences. While maintaining a critical approach, we reviewed the narrative literature. In addition, we carried out an in-depth analysis of normative acts.Results. Extraterritorial practices have been an inherent part of EU migration policy for decades. This has been confirmed by the examples of agreements with Libya and Turkey. The deliberate political action and the commercialisation of responsibilities have shown that respecting human rights has become optional. In our view, the delegation of responsibility to third countries is not only a visible manifestation of Western hypocrisy, but also the collapse of the axiological foundations of the European Union.

The manner of use, the uses and sub-uses of terms in social sciences: from the functional approach to natural language to applied semiotics and the philosophy of science

Abstract The functional approach to natural language (FANL) emerged in the late 1960s. It focused on the use and the sub-use of language expressions, taking into account role of the language context and the extra-linguistic situation of a given statements. This approach referred, both conceptually and methodologically, to the tradition of British analytical philosophy of language on the one hand, and to the achievements of the Lvov-Warsaw School on the other. It seems that despite the passage of more than half a century since its inception, this approach has lost nothing of its relevance and its cognitive value, and may even provide inspiration for the exploration new research areas concerning the formulation of language utterances. The aim of this article is to show the potential applications of the FANL as a specific semiotic concept in the field of the philosophy of social sciences. The paper points out how the functional conception can be successfully used in methodological analyses of the logical methodology of social sciences. The case studies presented in the article refer to the research practice of social sciences. Examples of the use and sub-uses of terms are discussed in the light of the polyparadigmatic structure of social sciences and the differences in research patterns accepted by given scientific collectives.

The Case for a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Australia and South Korea

Objectives: This study presents the case for a reciprocal health care agreement (RHCA) between Australia and South Korea. Design and Setting: The research utilised a qualitative social scientific methodology. Document analysis was conducted on government reports, official statistics and media articles in English and Korean. Main outcomes: In Australia, the Health Insurance Act 1973 enables health care agreements with 11 nations, however, Korea has no similar legislation in place. Therefore, Korea would need to build a broader consensus on the need for a RHCA in full, based on the precedent of Australia's agreements with other nations, as well as on the Korean Pension Act, which has enabled reciprocal (equal treatment among the countries) pension agreements with 28 nations through an exceptive clause. Results: The active government commitment and involvement of the Ministry of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Australia, and of the Ministry of Health & Welfare and Ministry of Foreign Affairs in South Korea, would be essential for a successful RHCA process to come to fruition. Conclusions: While a potential health care agreement between Australia and Korea would constitute a significant step forward in strengthening people-to-people links between these two significant trading partners in the spirit of health diplomacy, the feasibility at the current time is very low indeed.

Capturing toleration on social networks sites using internet-mediated research: June 30th Egyptian revolution case study

Purpose This paper aims at understanding the dynamics underlying toleration as a complex social phenomenon and its pattern on Facebook during the June 30th revolution in Egypt. Thanks to the huge advances in ICT, internet-mediated research (IMR) has become one of the most prominent research methodologies in social sciences. Discussions on social network sites cannot be neglected in studying the dynamics complex and emerging social phenomena such as changes in public opinion, culture, attitudes and virtues. Design/methodology/approach To fulfill this aim, the researchers used web content analysis as a method inside IMR paradigm to analyze the discussions on Tamarrod’s Facebook page in the period from June 30th to July 5th and to examine the emerging overall pattern of toleration. Findings The results show indications that toleration is inherent in the Egyptian culture, and that the Egyptian society still keeps its reputation as a highly tolerant society, even in crises periods where tensions are witnessed everywhere. Moreover, the results also show that the web content analysis process proposed in this study is highly reliable and valid. Originality/value The importance of the study lies in introducing a computational and empirical approach to analyze web content in a semi-automated way and proving its validity and reliability to study social phenomena such as toleration.

Social Ontology and Model-Building: A Response to Epstein

Brian Epstein has recently argued that a thoroughly microfoundationalist approach towards economics is unconvincing for metaphysical reasons. Generally, Epstein argues that for an improvement in the methodology of social science we must adopt social ontology as the foundation of social sciences; that is, the standing microfoundationalist debate could be solved by fixing economics’ ontology. However, as I show in this paper, fixing the social ontology prior to the process of model construction is optional instead of necessary and that metaphysical-ontological commitments are often the outcome of model construction, not its starting point. By focusing on the practice of modeling in economics the paper provides a useful inroad into the debate about the role of metaphysics in the natural and social sciences more generally.

Words against injustices: A deep narrative analysis of energy cultures in poverty of Abuja, Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro

Slum rehabilitation housing (SRH) are critical transitional spaces in urban informality that has deep-rooted implications on poverty alleviation efforts. However, current literature reports systemic injustices in SRH on access to essential services, including energy injustices. This study investigated distributive injustices in the SRH across three cities, Abuja, Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro, developing ‘energy cultures’ narratives. It employed a computational social science methodology that used textual analysis, followed by a constructivist grounded theoretic approach to inform just policy design. The analysis was performed at two scales to identify and contrast injustices in the study areas. The result at an aggregated scale showed commonalities were around the poor design of the built environment, administrative lags of the utilities and high electricity bills. Case study-specific results showed that poverty penalties were linked with the energy cultures of each SRHs. In the Mumbai case, poverty penalties were associated with the aspirational purchase of household appliances due to move from slums to SRH. The Abuja case showed low power quality and load shedding frequently damaged appliances that increase the maintenance costs for the occupants. The Rio de Janeiro SRH case had injustices embedded through the adoption of inefficient appliances received as charity from higher-income households. Fuel stacking was also observed in the SRH that illustrated cultural identities associated with cooking energy. The conclusion was drawn to support just policy design by considering the socio-cultural context of the built environment, improving utility governance and promoting cleaner fuel mix at the household level.

Can Social Science Evidence Be Trusted in Voting Rights Litigation? Ascertaining Whether a Minority Community Will Have an Equal Opportunity to Elect a Candidate of its Choice in a Given Legislative or Congressional District

We address recent skepticism by Chief Justice Roberts about the usefulness of social science tools of analysis in litigation about redistricting. Limiting our discussion to race-related redistricting litigation, we demonstrate that social science methodology has been able to provide reliable information to courts about the success of minority candidates of choice in redrawn or existing districts. In redrawn districts, this predictive success has been found even in the districts where the implemented recommendation of the social science expert was a remedial district in which minorities were less than a majority of the voting age population in the district.

Overcoming methodological dogmatism in social sciences: Triangulation, multimethod, and mixed methods

For the longest time, quantitative and qualitative methods have been considered opposing and mutually exclusive categories within the methodology of social science. This is best showcased by the conflicts arising between the proponents of these differing approaches - conflicts that are often characterized by an air of methodological dogmatism. The term ?methodological dogmatism? refers to the conviction of researchers in the superiority of their own approach, while delegitimizing any other. The main purpose of this paper is to outline the contemporary theoretical possibities of overcoming said dogmatism, and the three most prevalent approaches (triangulation, multimethod and mixed methods) will be presented accordingly. The goal is to identify the continuity of the ideas referring to the integration of qualitative and quantitative methodology, as well as to highlight the characterstics, advantages and drawbacks of each method. The paper concludes that the choice of method should be based on the nature of the research problem at hand, and that the combining of methods can serve as a useful tool for understanding and encompassing the full complexity of phenomena which are at the heart of social research.

The Limits of International Law Fifteen Years Later

The Limits of International Law received a great deal of criticism when it was published in 2005 but it has aged well. The skeptical, social-scientific methodology that it recommended has become a normal mode of international law scholarship. And the dominant idealistic view of international law that the book criticized is today in shambles, unable to explain the turmoil in international politics. This essay reflects on the book’s reception and corrects common misperceptions of its arguments.

Методологія фактичності в загальній теорії права та деякі незручні питання до неї

The article presents research of the problems arising under methodology of national general theory of law. The problems arise under dominance of empirical and naturalistic scientific tools whose cognitive ideal lies in scientific rationality, the tools bringing knowledge out of the scope of facts perceived via experience. An example of this methodology in national juridical studies is the “needs-based” approach presented by P. M. Rabinovych, a famous theoretician. It is emphasized that the methodology of facticity has some typical drawbacks whose highlight presents a part of the goal of the present work along with justification of underestimated possibilities of the idealistic methodology. It is emphasized that the needs-based approach presented by P. M. Rabinovych is the outcome and a variation of more general methodological concepts and theories of empirical and naturalistic character. The article describes the drawbacks typical thereof, in particular interpretation of socio-political reality as facticity, rejection of a priori irrational fundamentals in the phenomena of state and law as well as inability to resolve the main problems of moral consciousness and moral and ethical philosophy. The article defines the boundaries of empiric methods’ cognitive possibilities based on the methods and techniques of scientific rationality. It is emphasized that in the field of socio-political phenomena, i.e. in the field of the morally obligatory, which is also constituted by value-necessitated fundamentals as well as by irrational ones, scientific rationality preaching the values-neutral approach becomes incapacitated. Therefore, it is impossible to rationalize the methodology of social and juridical sciences to the fullest extent. This drawback can be eliminated by the opposite methods of idealistic character resulting from acceptance of irrational and a priori fundamentals in the phenomena of state and law. Among these methods are the teachings of unbiased idealistic character, such as Christian idealism or the teachings of biased idealistic character, such as existentialism, the dynamics of the theory of law, the temporal theory of law and the communicative theory of law. The author makes a conclusion that development of those methodological concepts is a promising strategy for further research in general theory of law aimed at eliminating the dominance of the empirical methodology of facticity.

Methodological Aspects of Pedagogy’s Two-Discipline Location

The area of pedagogy research penetration is situated in the disciplines of social sciences and humanities. The answer to the question what methodological consequences this brings to the practice of pedagogy favours the broadening of the ethodological awareness of pedagogues. The author adopts a conventional starting point, established by W. Dilthey’s statement that some sciences explain the world and other understand it, in which the research practice of social sciences, which adapted the method of natural sciences, was diametrically different from the research in the humanities. This difference is expressed, among other things, in the different treatment of the method, as well as the different position of the researcher in the research process. Nowadays the methodology of social sciences is internally diverse. There is a current within it, referred to as qualitative research, in which the influence of achievements in the field of humanities is clearly visible, and which becomes a source of premises for the recognition of reality in empirical cognition.