1st Edition

Researching the ‘New Normal’ Social World Methodological Adaptations and Innovations Post-Pandemic

Edited By R. Sooryamoorthy, Vivian Ojong Copyright 2024
    190 Pages 4 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This edited volume focuses on the changing research methodologies in social science research, prompted by the new social world shaped by the pandemic. It explores adaptations and developments to meet the demands of transforming social circumstances and showcases innovative alternative approaches.

    Featuring a range of international and interdisciplinary contributors who discuss the context of social science research in the "new normal", the book sets out the need to redesign research to address present-day challenges for the post-pandemic. Chapters share methodological innovations and demonstrate how applicable these new and adapted methodologies are to a world post-pandemic, discussing a wide range of innovative, digital-first research methods with practical analysis. The role of technology and its application in social science research during this transition is explored in particular, alongside new approaches to quantitative and qualitative research that feature innovations in ethnography, online data collection, and ethical protocols for research.

    Ultimately offering a comprehensive exploration of adaptive and innovative social science research methodologies suited to the current social context, the book will be relevant to researchers, academics, and scholars in the fields of research methods, research technologies, and the sociology of education.

    1. Researching the New Normal and Beyond: Methodological Adaptations and Innovations

    R. Sooryamoorthy and Vivian Ojong

    2. Adapting Vintage Research Methods to New Realities: A Case Study from Ukraine

    Komal Gulati, Julia Rozanova and Irina Zaviryukha

    3. The New Normal of Online Survey Research: General Population Studies Are Going Online

    Dimitri Prandner, Alexander Seymer and Martin Weichbold

    4. Ethnographic Research: Developments and Challenges in the Post-Pandemic Era

    Vivian Ojong

    5. The Adaptation of a Survey Research Regime to the COVID Period and Beyond

    Charles Crothers

    6. Remote Focus Groups as a New Normal: Reflections from the Pandemic

    Syahirah Abdul Rahman, Jen Nelles, Lauren Tuckerman and Tim Vorley

    7. Design Thinking in Post-Pandemic Times: Methodologies to Understand Trustworthiness

    Natasha Dwyer, Tessa Darbyshire, Stephen Marsh, Anthony Watt, Naomi Dempsey and Darren Brown

    8. Gathering Data Through Learning Analytics: Will This Methodological Adaptation for Understanding Student Engagement be a Panacea or a Panopticon?

    Matt Smith, Howard Scott and Tinne De Laet

    9. The COVID-19 Pandemic and Research Ethics in Resource Poor Settings: Epistemic Injustice and Hermeneutical Exclusion

    Nhlanhla Mkhize

    Afterword: The Way Ahead

    R. Sooryamoorthy and Vivian Ojong

    Biography

    R. Sooryamoorthy is professor of sociology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal  and  is  a  research  fellow  at  the  DSI-NRF  Centre  of  Excellence  in  STI  Policy, Stellenbosch University.

    Vivian Ojong is Professor and Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.