In person icon Mapping Methods, Mapping Research Traditions

Abstract

Method books usually provide separate accounts of multiple methods, each written separately by a specialist. This approach provides secured ways to beginners interested by one method, but it is limited regarding the connection between two or several of them: Which methods are similar, which ones are radically different? What complementarity, combination or chaining over time is worth considering on one's research topic? We propose mapping as an innovative, comprehensive approach to these questions. A map of political science methods requires listing the methods in use, locating them relatively to each other and arranging all of them within the same space, letting some underlying dimensions emerge, and isolating clusters of related methods that structure the map. Methods mapping helps locate one's methodological practice relatively to others'. It helps make the best next methodological step, instead of following disciplinary traditions, available training sessions or software trends, all factors often contingent to a rational logic of scientific discovery. It also provides a more comprehensive view to method trainees: beyond "mixed-methods" and "multi-methods" courses, methodological maps give synthetic views on relevant combinations. Mapping the methods of European political science has to be a collaborative work with representatives of different domains and traditions. Therefore the panel welcomes all papers that contribute positioning one or more methods vis-à-vis others. It could be for example: a full map of methods within one field or national tradition; the relationship between dominant and challenging methods in a field; the rise or decline of one method or combination of methods; the distinct uses of one method in separate fields or traditions, etc. The panel is supported by the ECPR Schools in Methods and Techniques. It will include the presentation of a survey among instructors of the Schools intended to improve students' orientation among the courses offered.

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