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The field of science and technology studies (STS) has introduced and developed a "sociotechnical" perspective that has been taken up by many disciplines and areas of inquiry. The aims and objectives of this study are threefold: to interrogate which sociotechnical concepts or tools from STS are useful at better understanding energy-related social science, to reflect on prominent themes and topics within those approaches, and to identify current research gaps and directions for the future. To do so, the study builds on a companion project, a systematic analysis of 262 articles published from 2009 to mid-2019 that categorized and reviewed sociotechnical perspectives in energy social science. It identifies future research directions by employing the method of "co creation" based on the reflections of sixteen prominent researchers in the field in late 2019 and early 2020. Drawing from this co-created synthesis, this study first identifies three main areas of sociotechnical perspectives in energy research (sociotechnical systems, policy, and expertise and publics) with 15 topics and 39 subareas. The study then identifies five main themes for the future development of sociotechnical perspectives in energy research: conditions of systematic change; embedded agency; justice, power, identity and politics; imaginaries and discourses; and public engagement and governance. It also points to the recognized need for pluralism and parallax: for research to show greater attention to demographic and geographical diversity; to stronger research designs; to greater theoretical triangulation; and to more transdisciplinary approaches.

An essential tool for those planning to undertake social research, this exceptional book tackles many of the specific concerns and issues that arise. A well structured text, it offers a comprehensive introduction to a range of important areas in project management, including: commissioning research preparing a tender or grant application risk and stakeholder analysis managing the field work and data analysis financial management ethics, confidentiality and copyright. This book provides a unique source of guidance for anyone seeking to commission, manage or carry out social research. It will especially benefit researchers working in a variety of different contexts, including those in academia, central or local government, 'quangos', public bodies or private consulting companies.

Administrative data may provide rich, relatively inexpensive, unbiased, and accurate information that can be used to explore various research questions without imposing any additional burden to the participants. Understanding the data, having the ability to deal with its complexity, and ensuring data security are the keys to the successful use of administrative data sets.

PurposeTo consider what a criticalist qualitative research methodology might look like for universities in the context of the contemporary COVID-19 crisis.Design/methodology/approachThis polemical paper explores the rationale for a dramatic recasting of the approach needed in qualitative research methodology to address the challenges of the crisis-ridden times we live in. Broadly conceived of as an "evolving criticality", to borrow from Kincheloe, the paper addresses the kind of disposition, orientation or state of mind required that provides the space and opportunities in universities within which this strategic methodological reinvention might occur. After explaining what a research methodology committed to the notion of "criticality" might look like, the paper argues that to enact this we need to start with the immediacy of our own academic work and then emanate to other public spheres.FindingsThe polemical exchange engaged in by this paper presents the underpinnings of how critical social science might be deployed in both reconceiving how we understand the purpose of research in universities and changing the nature of academic work.Research limitations/implicationsThese exist only in so far as university academics are prepared to embrace what is being argued for to change the status quo.Practical implicationsThe broader critical social science methodology being argued for in this paper is using a wider framing to a form of critical ethnography that has the potential to enable academic workers to extricate themselves from the ruinous situation brought on by the neoliberal paradigm that has been so drastically exacerbated by COVID-19.Originality/valueWhile the paper rehearses some existing ideas of critical social science, the novelty of the papers lies in the way these are applied to the COVID-19 crisis within which universities have become embroiled.

Objective. This research note presents and assesses the potential for Google's Insights for Search tool for use in social science research.Methods. Measures of social phenomena across time and across ecological units produced from search engine data are compared with existing data sources.Results. The comparisons show that the search engine data correspond quite closely with existing measures of issue salience and religious adherence.Conclusions. Given its relative lack of cost both in terms of money and labor, its flexibility, and its correspondence to other data, social scientists should consider the Insights for Search tool for research purposes.

"What are the common challenges that researchers face when designing and performing research? What are the choices and trade-offs that social scientists encounter when seeking to implement a fascinating idea? This volume brings together world-leading scholars from a range of political research methodologies and sub-areas in order to show how they have dealt with these challenges during the research process. Looking at every stage of the research process, Political Science Research Methods in Action showcases common problems that affect diverse research approaches and shows how they were encountered and resolved. Aiming to help researchers - whether new or experienced - to take control of their research, this volume brings the research process to life and shows how actual research is 'done' within the frameworks of core methodological principles that guide research design"--

This supplement to the Journal of the International AIDS Society focuses on the engagement of the social and political sciences within HIV research and, in particular, maintaining a productive relationship between social and biomedical perspectives on HIV. It responds to a number of concerns raised primarily by social scientists, but also recognized as important by biomedical and public health researchers. These concerns include how best to understand the impact of medical technologies (such as HIV treatments, HIV testing, viral load testing, male circumcision, microbicides, and pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis) on sexual cultures, drug practices, relationships and social networks in different cultural, economic and political contexts. The supplement is also concerned with how we might examine the relationship between HIV prevention and treatment, understand the social and political mobilization required to tackle HIV, and sustain the range of disciplinary approaches needed to inform and guide responses to the global pandemic. The six articles included in the supplement demonstrate the value of fostering high quality social and political research to inform, guide and challenge our collaborative responses to HIV/AIDS.

FrontMatter -- Preface -- Contents -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Measurement in the Social Sciences -- 3 Indicators -- 4 Social Science Constructs -- 5 Final Comments -- References -- Appendix A: Workshop Agenda and Participants -- Appendix B: Biographical Sketches of Committee Members, Workshop Speakers, and Workshop Discussants.

"This report documents the activities of the Semmering project and its main results. Set up as a thematic network Semmering organized three major conferences to discuss contemporary S&T challenges with regard to structural reform, research programming, research excellence and research networks. The results of the Semmering project advocate a re-orientation of S&T and RTD policy reform, including of research programming at European level. Specifically the Semmering network is calling for (a) the combination of middle-range incentives to engage the industry and the private sector in the financing of research with long-term continuous financing of research structures by the state in the form of subsidies as well as increased investment into education at all levels; (b) the revision of statistical frameworks for measuring RTD investment; (c) the revision of accounting frameworks at the institutional, programme and project level away from rigid financial rules; (d) new employment policies in the research sectors that balance short- and long-term objectives; (e) a move away from the 'one size fits it all' mentality characteristic of the early stages of the Sixth Framework Programme; (f) a recognition of diversity in research cultures, approach and organizational format as a positive element for the creation of critical mass; (g) the integration of the research community in the process of research programming following the 'self-management' principle." (author's abstract)

Whether social movements existed in past societies, & if so, how best to investigate them, are examined. Constraints on conducting historical research on social movements are identified, focusing on the obvious problems of data collection; ways to adapt methods used in other types of research are considered. Suggestions are offered for finding sources of evidence, including organizations, archives, individuals, newspapers, & government documents, with appropriate caveats regarding data authenticity & representativeness; problems of interpretation & explanation are also addressed. Methods for linking theories, concepts, & evidence are described & some particularly exemplary studies are cited. Directions for moving from analysis of individual activists, causes, & organizational structure & function to explanations of social movement outcomes are also provided. 1 Table, 1 Figure, 73 References. K. Hyatt Stewart