Theories, Concepts and Methods in Development Studies and Sociology (PhD Seminar) 11 February 2013 Research Center on Global Development Studies Department of Political Science The Doctoral School of Social Sciences Aalborg University, Denmark

1. Reflections on Methodology for
PhD Research in the Social Sciences
Bonn Juego
Theories, Concepts and Methods in Development Studies and Sociology
(PhD Seminar)
11 February 2013
Research Center on Global Development Studies
Department of Political Science
The Doctoral School of Social Sciences
Aalborg University, Denmark

2. Starting Point
“ There is no royal road to science,
and only those who do not dread
the fatigue climb of its steep paths
have a chance of gaining its
luminous summits. ”
— Karl Marx
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3. The Problematique
Just ONE main problem
– the rest will be sub-questions
3

4. Positivist and Normative
Social Science
“ What is ”
and/or
“ What should be ”
4

5. On the Question of
Value-free Social Science
“ There is no way of studying social reality other than from the
viewpoint of human ideals.
A ‘disinterested social sciences’ has never existed and, for logical
reasons, cannot exist.
The value connotations of our main concepts represents our
interest in a matter, gives direction to our thoughts and
significance to our inferences.
The recognition that our very concepts are value-loaded implies
that they cannot be defined except in terms of political valuations.
It is, indeed, on account of scientific stringency that these
valuations should be made explicit. ”
—Gunnar Myrdal
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6. Argument or Hypothesis
Argument (prove)
or
Hypothesis (test)
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7. Objective: Contribution to Knowledge
(Original and/or Significant)
• Thesis: reading, thinking, researching, writing
• Review of Related Literature
– To show familiarity with the field
– To get leads, ideas, references
– To figure out your contribution (niche; value-added)
• Importance of having chapter outline and
chapter-by-chapter headings asap!
7

8. Conceptual Framework
(working with key concepts)
Study and Establish RELATIONSHIP
– Causality
• A causes B.
• Independent and Dependent Variables
– Correlation
• If A is there, B is also there.
— Dialectics (from my PhD Thesis)
• Interrelations and Contradictions between A, B, C
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9. From my thesis conclusion
Dialectical Relationship
9

10. Argumentation
(Deductive and/or Inductive)
In my thesis:
continuous DIALOGUE between Deductive and Inductive Approach
(co-evolution) 10

11. Theoretical Framework
Remember, it is a FRAMEWORK.
What? (identify)
Why? (justify)
HOW? (specify)
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12. Trade-off
Elegance vs Relevance
“ The general reader will have to
make up his mind, whether he
wants simple answers to his
questions or useful ones — in this
as in other economic matters he
cannot have both. ”
— Joseph Schumpeter
12

13. Empirical Methodology
(Qualitative and/or Quantitative)
Remember, it is a METHODOLOGY.
What? (identify)
Why? (justify)
HOW? (specify)
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14. On the ‘Law of Instrument’
“ … [I]f the only tool you have is a
hammer, …
[you] treat everything as if it
were a nail. ”
14

15. On Method and Truth
• Others validate truth based on using the
correct method
– neoclassical economics and many other
quantitative, mathematics-based researches
• But using the correct method is not always
equivalent to finding the truth!
15

16. Be patient and kind to yourself!
Methodology gets refined
— as you do your fieldwork;
— as you get acquainted with your data, relevant
literatures, and other materials;
— and as you write the thesis.
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17. Good luck!
Thank you.
Godspeed!
Bonn Juego
Aalborg University, Denmark