Viewing Methodologies

We've been discussing our views on methodologies for the past few weeks in class. Specifically, how do different research methods relate to one another? For our Research Critique assignment, each of us studied 3 different articles and and analyzed their methodologies. When we got together in class, we arranged those methodologies into a big research map (see the image above, via Kuen, https://kuenbird.wordpress.com/). Instead of viewing research methods in a chronological or hierarchical fashion (like a tree), our map was much more rhizomatic (like an interconnected web or field of grass).

Each classmate then shared his/her personal view on methodology mapping. After discussing research organization via tagging, I realized that it was easy for me to view methodologies as data sets that can be connected through different tags. According to Wikipedia, a tag is

"...a non-hierarchical keyword or term assigned to a piece of information (such as an Internet bookmark, digital image, or computer file). This kind of metadata helps describe an item and allows it to be found again by browsing or searching. Tags are generally chosen informally and personally by the item's creator or by its viewer, depending on the system."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tag_%28metadata%29

As long as all methodologies were coded accordingly, I could potentially call all participant-based research methods via the tag "@researchparticipants"--these could include ethnographic, arts-inquiry, case study, etc. An example of tagging can be seen below this post ("research" and "methodologies"). By clicking on these tags, one can see all posts that I've labeled similarly.

Other students examples included flower beds and pollination and clouds. You can check out their ideas in the linked blogs to the right.

Have a great Thanksgiving!