This module aims to explore the potential for adopting an ecological paradigm in social science research. By an 'underlying framework', we mean one that is not necessarily linked to an 'ecological' research topic, such as environmental issues or sustainability, but rather one characterised by the need to establish clear coherence among its various elements while remaining compatible with a plurality of epistemological and ontological perspectives. In practice, this involves focusing 'ecologically' on the objects of one's study (how should they be interpreted in terms of interconnectedness, and what limits should be set in this regard?), one's method (how can one devise an approach that addresses one's questions in a way that is not merely linear and instrumental?), one's operational tools (how should they be constructed, and how should data be collected?), the relationship with participants (how can one-way, purely 'extractive' relationships be avoided?), the interpretation of results (to what extent can self-reference be moved beyond?), and dissemination (how can research results become part of a community?).
The course will explore these issues by demonstrating that there is no single way to address them, but rather a variety of possible balances between the demands of an ecological vision and the need to establish 'refuges'.
The course aims to explore these issues by showing that there is not just one way of dealing with them, but many possible ways to balance the demands of an ecological perspective and the need to introduce 'reductions in complexity'. To this end, it will present examples of various research projects in the social sciences.