Doing Praxiography: Research Strategies, Methods and Techniques

Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss the methodology and methods of IPT. We outline methodological guidelines that spring from practice theory, and the fact that social science is also a practice. We introduce the notion of praxiography to speak about the methodology and methods of practice-theory-driven research, and discuss the status of ‘theory’ and its relation to empirics. Praxiography can be anchored in different starting points, and the seven core approaches imply distinct strategies as to where to begin inquiry. Turning to methods, our argument is that praxiography implies carefully considering how practice can be observed directly. We show how different forms of field work, including participant observation, event observation and shadowing can be used to study practice Some situations require alternative techniques, and we point to interviews and different forms of text analysis as options. Finally, we address the drafting of a praxiography. Writing about practice implies controlling for the unruliness of practices, and ordering them into a more-or-less coherent narrative. How can a narrative about practice be written in a way that makes sense to a distinct audience? We argue that praxiography requires experimentation and creativity, and introduce ideas from ethnography and filmmaking as inspirations.