SAGE's Cookie Policy
Close 

To enhance your experience on our site, SAGE stores cookies on your computer. By continuing you consent to receive cookies.

Learn More

Qualitative Research and Theory Development

Mystery as Method

Mats Alvesson Lund University, Sweden
Dan Karreman Lund University, Sweden
© 2011   144 pages   SAGE Publications Ltd   
Instructors
Complimentary Review Copy
Individual Purchasers
Paperback ISBN: 9780857023247 $38.00
Hardcover ISBN: 9780857023230 $112.00
Ebook ISBN: 9781446249864
Empirical data is one of the cornerstones of knowledge in the social sciences. And yet, the researcher often takes it for granted, reserving his or her imaginative faculties for finding a theory that fits the data. This revealing account of the theory-data relationship calls this faith in data into question and establishes a reflexive framework and vocabulary to explore the creative, political and philosophical elements of data production.

Rather than thinking about the theory-data 'fit', Alvesson and Karreman will encourage you to consider the research process as one of theory-data interplay, asking if creative empirical material can challenge established theory and inspire new lines of development, and if breakdowns and mysteries encountered in research can be a constructive rather than destructive process.

They will encourage you to think critically about empirical data in terms of construction rather than verification, and most importantly they will encourage you to develop theory that is interesting and novel, rather than naive or irrelevant, making this title essential reading for those who often find the traditional vocabulary and frameworks of social science research obvious or simplistic.

Qualitative Research and Theory Development

Mystery as Method

Mats Alvesson Lund University, Sweden
Dan Karreman Lund University, Sweden
© 2011   144 pages   SAGE Publications Ltd  

Available Formats

ISBN:   9780857023247 Paperback Suggested Retail Price:   $38.00 Bookstore Price:   $30.40
ISBN:   9780857023230 Hardcover Suggested Retail Price:   $112.00 Bookstore Price:   $89.60
ISBN:   9781446249864 Ebook Suggested Retail Price:   $38.00 Bookstore Price:   $30.40

About This Title

Empirical data is one of the cornerstones of knowledge in the social sciences. And yet, the researcher often takes it for granted, reserving his or her imaginative faculties for finding a theory that fits the data. This revealing account of the theory-data relationship calls this faith in data into question and establishes a reflexive framework and vocabulary to explore the creative, political and philosophical elements of data production.

Rather than thinking about the theory-data 'fit', Alvesson and Karreman will encourage you to consider the research process as one of theory-data interplay, asking if creative empirical material can challenge established theory and inspire new lines of development, and if breakdowns and mysteries encountered in research can be a constructive rather than destructive process.

They will encourage you to think critically about empirical data in terms of construction rather than verification, and most importantly they will encourage you to develop theory that is interesting and novel, rather than naive or irrelevant, making this title essential reading for those who often find the traditional vocabulary and frameworks of social science research obvious or simplistic.

Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email sageheoa@sagepub.com. Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html.

We hope you'll consider this SAGE text. Email us at info@sagepub.com, or click here to find your SAGE rep.

SAGE
2455 Teller Road
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
www.sagepub.com

Product Type

All

Courses

All

Subject Areas

All