This volume presents a comprehensive overview of methodological issues and empirical methods of practice-oriented research. It examines questions regarding the scope and boundaries of practice-oriented approaches and practice theory. It discusses the potential advantages and disadvantages of the diversity resulting from the use of these approaches, as well as method and methodology-related issues. The specific questions explored in this volume are: What consequences are linked to the application of a praxeological perspective in empirical research when it comes to the choice of methods? Is there such a thing as an ideal path to follow in praxeological empirical research? What relationship is there between qualitative and quantitative approaches? What differentiates practice-based social research from other perspectives and approaches such as discourse analysis or hermeneutics? The contributions in this book discuss these questions either from a methodological point of view or from a reflective perspective on empirical research practices.

For courses in Environmental studies, Environmental Sociology, Environmental geography and Development studies; Women's studies and Women's issues options on a wide variety of degree courses. Combining theory with practice, this concise, accessible text provides a comprehensive introduction to the concepts, theories and results of environmental sociology from a feminist perspective. Within an international context it portrays in full the different feminist perspectives on environment and society, which are marginalized in mainstream research, and shows how the feminist critique on environmental sociology contributes to a more general feminist critique of society. Part of the Feminist Perspectives Series providing stimulating introductions to key feminist topics and debates written by well-known, experienced teachers in each field.

With the interest in practice theory and praxeology on the rise, praxeology can be considered an emerging new methodological as well as theoretical paradigm which successfully overcomes epistemological dichotomies of conventional approaches. The articles in this volume serve as starting points for rendering contemporary practice theory approaches useful for the analysis of political events and processes, without reducing the political aspect a priori to the formal policy sphere. In this context, Praxeological Political Analysis demonstrates that praxeological research is now increasingly addressing issues which are considered virulent in, for instance, the consumer, sustainability or political spheres. Following on from this key focus on political analysis, this title also seeks to expand the current status of primarily political science adaptions of practice theory approaches to the analysis of predominantly narrowly defined political practices. Written with an explicit focus on diverse political aspects and dimensions in the performative enactment of social practices, this title will appeal to post-graduate students and scholars interested in sociology of politics, social and public policy, development in social theory and political research methods.

This volume presents a comprehensive overview of methodological issues and empirical methods of practice-oriented research. It examines questions regarding the scope and boundaries of practice-oriented approaches and practice theory. It discusses the potential advantages and disadvantages of the diversity resulting from the use of these approaches, as well as method and methodology-related issues. The specific questions explored in this volume are: What consequences are linked to the application of a praxeological perspective in empirical research when it comes to the choice of methods? Is there such a thing as an ideal path to follow in praxeological empirical research? What relationship is there between qualitative and quantitative approaches? What differentiates practice-based social research from other perspectives and approaches such as discourse analysis or hermeneutics? The contributions in this book discuss these questions either from a methodological point of view or from a reflective perspective on empirical research practices.

With the interest in practice theory and praxeology on the rise, praxeology can be considered an emerging new methodological as well as theoretical paradigm which successfully overcomes epistemological dichotomies of conventional approaches. The articles in this volume serve as starting points for rendering contemporary practice theory approaches useful for the analysis of political events and processes, without reducing the political aspect a priori to the formal policy sphere. In this context, Praxeological Political Analysis demonstrates that praxeological research is now increasingly addressing issues which are considered virulent in, for instance, the consumer, sustainability or political spheres. Following on from this key focus on political analysis, this title also seeks to expand the current status of primarily political science adaptions of practice theory approaches to the analysis of predominantly narrowly defined political practices. Written with an explicit focus on diverse political aspects and dimensions in the performative enactment of social practices, this title will appeal to post-graduate students and scholars interested in sociology of politics, social and public policy, development in social theory and political research methods.

Die eminente Bedeutung von ExpertInneninterviews fur die Forschungspraxis ist unumstritten. Sie gehoren in vielen sozialwissenschaftlichen Disziplinen zur alltaglichen Forschungspraxis; sei es als eigenstandige Erhebungsmethode, sei es als exploratives oder erganzendes Instrument im Kontext quantitativer oder qualitativer Forschungsdesigns. Auf der anderen Seite sind ExpertInneninterviews trotz (oder wegen?) ihrer Praxisrelevanz methodisch wenig reflektiert. Dieses Defizit will der vorliegende Band beheben und eine ubersichtliche, fundierte und an forschungspraktischen Problemen orientierte Einfuhrung in Theorie und Praxis der ExpertInneninterviews bieten. Neben der Diskussion des methodologischen Hintergrunds und zentraler wissenssoziologischer Basisannahmen (ExpertInnenbegriff, Wissensformen) steht dabei insbesondere die Vorbereitung, Durchfuhrung und Auswertung von ExpertInneninterviews im Mittelpunkt."

For courses in Environmental Studies, Environmental Sociology, Environmental Geography and, Development Studies; Women's Studies and Women's Issues options on a wide variety of degree courses.

The first book in the field to give a comprehensive overview of environmental sociology and feminism, which not only focuses on ecofeminism, but also the different feminist positions and debates which are beginning to emerge. Portrays the most recent sociological discussions of sustainable development, and ecofeminism.