Extended Methods: Seven Issues for Culture Studies That Increase Our Freedom

The author presents a model of the research approach that increases our freedom. What issues should a researcher consider if he/she wants to study culture in the 21st Century technological, social and economic circumstances? The author distinguishes seven issues that a researcher guided by the broader concept of culture, one that defines culture according to Raymond Williams as a “specific way of life” should consider. These issues are: (1) research is an interaction between scientists and study participants; (2) research can democratize the culture field; (3) research can be a cultural animation; (4) cooperation with artists, activists, educators, etc. is important; (5) there are many regulators of human behavior; (6) researcher has to answer a question what important social goals the study supports; (7) ethical aspects of social phenomena have to be taken into consideration. The article is a voice in a discussion of whether research methods only describe social reality or help to create it.

* Tekst powstał w ramach grantu Narodowego Centrum Nauki nr 2015/19/N/ HS6/01682.

The author presents a model of the research approach that increases our freedom. What issues should a researcher consider if he/she wants to study culture in the 21st Century technological, social and economic circumstances? The author distinguishes seven issues that a researcher guided by the broader concept of culture, one that defines culture according to Raymond Williams as a “specific way of life” should consider. These issues are: (1) research is an interaction between scientists and study participants; (2) research can democratize the culture field; (3) research can be a cultural animation; (4) cooperation with artists, activists, educators, etc. is important; (5) there are many regulators of human behavior; (6) researcher has to answer a question what important social goals the study supports; (7) ethical aspects of social phenomena have to be taken into consideration. The article is a voice in a discussion of whether research methods only describe social reality or help to create it.

* Tekst powstał w ramach grantu Narodowego Centrum Nauki nr 2015/19/N/ HS6/01682.