Methods of Social Movement Research
The definitive guide to conducting research in this dynamic field.
Contributors: Kathleen M. Blee, Elisabeth S. Clemens, Donatella della Porta, Mario Diani, Martin D. Hughes, Hank Johnston, Ruud Koopmans, Paul Lichterman, Debra C. Minkoff, Daniel J. Myers, Pamela E. Oliver, Dieter Rucht, Jackie Smith, David A. Snow, Sidney Tarrow, Verta Taylor, Danny Trom.
Social Movements, Protest, and Contention Series, volume 16
Methods of Social Movement Research is an exciting book with a contributor roster of the leading movement scholars active today. Each chapter offers detailed information on how to apply the particular method under review along with pertinent examples from the existing movements literature.
Thomas Rochon, author of Culture Moves: Ideas, Activism and Changing Values
Citing the critical importance of empirical work to social movement research, the editors of this volume have put together the first systematic overview of the major methods used by social movement theorists. Original chapters cover the range of techniques: surveys, formal models, discourse analysis, in-depth interviews, participant observation, case studies, network analysis, historical methods, protest event analysis, macro-organizational analysis, and comparative politics. Each chapter includes a methodological discussion, examples of studies employing the method, an examination of its strengths and weaknesses, and practical guidelines for its application.
Contributors: Kathleen M. Blee, U of Pittsburgh; Elisabeth S. Clemens, U of Arizona; Donatella della Porta, U of Florence; Mario Diani, U of Trento, Italy; Martin D. Hughes; Hank Johnston, San Diego State U; Ruud Koopmans, Social Science Research Center, Berlin; Paul Lichterman, U of Wisconsin; Debra C. Minkoff, U of Washington; Daniel J. Myers, Notre Dame; Pamela E. Oliver, U of Wisconsin; Dieter Rucht, Social Science Research Center, Berlin; Jackie Smith, SUNY, Stony Brook; David A. Snow, U of California, Irvine; Sidney Tarrow, Cornell U; Verta Taylor, U of California, Santa Barbara; Danny Trom, École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales, Paris.
This outstanding collection delivers more than the modest title suggest, combing a comprehensive, critical, in-depth examination of key research methods with a careful consideration of the integral, reciprocal relationship between methods and theory. The authors bring to their chapters a deep understanding of their particular methodological and theoretical specialties, and a wider concern for the development of social movement theory and research. They also reflect thoughtfully on the strengths and limitations of particular methods. Methods of Social Movement Research is a major contribution to the field. It should be useful in undergraduate and graduate course on social movements, serving as an overview of methods and theory building, as a menu of methodological approaches to consider in pursuing specific projects, and as a first step toward learning specific methods. It should also be useful to established scholars, promoting understanding and enabling them to critically and sensitively evaluate one another’s work.
Mobilization
Methods of Social Movement Research is quite a comprehensive compenidum of methodological approaches used by social movement researchers. It also provides an overview of blending methods and developing theories in social movement research. It does a fine job of summarizing research methods used by social movement researchers.
Social Forces
Methods of Social Movement Research is an exciting book with a contributor roster of the leading movement scholars active today. Each chapter offers detailed information on how to apply the particular method under review along with pertinent examples from the existing movements literature.
Thomas Rochon, author of Culture Moves: Ideas, Activism and Changing Values
Social movement research has become increasingly central to sociology and increasingly rich and sophisticated. It is high time for a careful reflection on methods. Klandermans and Staggenborg have met this need with an impressively broad collection, reaching from participant observation to formal models, surveys to case studies, networks to macro-level comparisons. This book will help new students and experienced researchers alike.
Craig Calhoun, president of the Social Science Research Council
An invaluable resource.
Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology
