Methods of Discovery: Heurisitcs for the Social Sciences: Heuristics for the Social Sciences (Contemporary Societies)

First things first. If you order the book listed on this page you will receive a copy of Andrew Abbott, Methods of Discovery: Heuristics for the Social Sciences (New York: Norton, 2004), 0-393-97814-1 - that is the book in the picture at the top of the page. At the time of this review the title on the page is Methodological Moves (So if you've managed to find your way to this page well done!)This is an unusual book; its concern is not with research methods in the way that they are normally discussed but with how to generate new approaches and insights to research problems. A large part of the book is taken up with examples of how influential pieces of research have used these techniques or heuristics. For instance Abbott argues that there are nine basic debates within the social science, such as those between positivism and interpretivism or realism and constructionism one strategy that can be employed is for interpretivists to deploy realist strategies or vice versa. He also looks at strategies around description and narrative.This is an interesting book for the social scientist because it helps you to think about your own intellectual persona. You become aware of the characteristic strategies that you tend to use without thinking about them. This is a book aimed at students and there are helpful discussions about choosing good questions and topics.

This is the best book on research methods in the social science I have come across. It does teaching thinking, rather than just doing social research. The author is one of the most prolific and open-minded sociologists out there, who has the rare gift of being interested in all branches of social research and not just is small niece.Must read for any serious social scientist, must read for the curious mind.