Methodological approach

Our research style is committed to the interpretative paradigm. We understand qualitative social research as procedures that are both reflective and open in their approach to social reality and that generate new knowledge. Ethnomethodology and ethnography shape our research mentality especially with regard to the following asssumptions:

• Social reality is always already pre-conceived, there is no direct social-scientific access to reality ('facts'). Sociological findings are based on observations of observations, interpretations of interpretations, and are thus second order constructions.
• Methods need to be appropriated to the object in a unique way, i.e. methods are not simply applied, but developed and based on the object. Methods that have already been tried and tested must - just like theoretical concepts - prove their scientific potential on the object, and be modified accordingly. Any successful qualitative research thus produces not only new theoretical knowledge, but also new methodological knowledge.
• Reflexivity is a core concept and an important scientific resource in qualitative social research. We understand the research process as the interaction between field and researchers, the methods, media and concepts used to approach the field, and the data (types) generated.
• The methodological approach of qualitative social research - like other forms of practice - is largely based on implicit (practical) knowledge. Therefore, qualitative research methods cannot be obtained by reading and discussing texts or lectures alone. Implicit knowledge is gained through observation and participation.

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