Reflections on Methodology: Sociology, Ethnography and Applied Research

Reflections on Methodology offers a new and engaging means of teaching Honours students or those starting a PhD in Sociology about methodological issues.Instead of the usual survey approach, it shows the importance of debates about methodology, the value of an ethnographic approach and the challenges of applied research through a series of case studies. The text offers insightful short essays on methodological issues such as critical theory, interpretivism, and mixed methods, alongside Travers' reflections on significant ethnographic projects in areas like court reform, comparative criminology, and immigration control.The book combines methodological discussions with autobiographical elements, making complex research topics accessible and grounded in real-world applications.The central theme and argument are that the thoughtful sociologist should seek to move from the outside to the inside of institutions and social groups and the transformative effect on understanding is illustrated t