Invitation to submit abstracts for ZEF junior researchers - research methodology volume
July 06, 2006.
REPEATED CALL FOR PAPERS FOR RESERACH METHODOLOGY VOLUME
Subject: Invitation to submit abstracts for ZEF junior researchers
Dear Colleagues,
PhD students at ZEF and recent graduates are invited to submit abstracts for a proposed edited volume on research methodology:
Discussing the Divergence between Theory and Practice in Field Research Methodology
The purpose of this edited volume is to collect a variety of papers from ZEF PhD students, and selected others, which critically reflect on the field research process. The organising principle is discussing the divergence between the theory and practice of field research methodology when operating in challenging environments. Drawing on PhD studies from around the developing world, a collection of 6-8 papers will be thematically grouped, linked together by an introductory chapter to be written by the editor(s). Potential themes include, but are not limited to;
- Field Theory: How useful was it?
- The role of the researcher in shaping their field research
- Research Ethics: Meta-Ethics versus Individual discretion
- The Methodological Challenge of Interdisciplinary Research
- Researching as part of a Project - reflections
- Dealing with Inequalities/Social Power Relations in Fieldwork
- The interaction between researcher and his 'subjects' and the host society at large
- Selecting the methodology
- Gender and Methodology choice
- Field theory/practice and its relevance or benefits for the people/society under investigation
In order to ensure that the papers are thematically linked and that the edited volume has relevance for future researchers, a novel approach to production is planned. In the first instance a call for abstracts will be made to all ZEF staff/students, as well as selected external individuals. These will then be assessed by the editor(s) and the 6-8 selected authors will be invited to submit a draft of 5000 - 7000 words. We are exploring the possibility of a 'master class' or intensive seminar. For this event all authors will be required to have read two other authors work and to have made substantive comments on these other papers. In addition an invited expert will made comments on all the papers as well as provide thematic guidance for the editors. In this way each author will receive detailed feedback from three other scholars and can then produce a revised draft for consideration. These will then be collated into a draft volume for revision and editing. It is envisaged that the completed volume will be published by Lit Verlag, as part of the ZEF Development Studies Series.
The timeline for this would be, approximately:
July 30 2006 Deadline for Submission of Abstracts
August 30 2006 Abstracts Received and Selected Authors invited to submit papers
December 2006 First drafts of papers received and circulated to others for appraisal
Jan/Feb 2007 Workshop/Master Class for revision of papers
April 2007 Final versions received, edited and sent for publication
Authors are invited to submit abstracts (350-500 words) of potential chapters to:
Caleb.Wall@uni-bonn.de
Caleb Wall & Peter Mollinga (Editors)
