The Body of Knowledge: Fieldwork and Conceptualization in Social Inquiry

This book provides a detailed and intimate look at social science research, including fieldwork, conversations, and writing. It adopts an ethnographic approach inspired by ethnomethodology and conversation analysis to explore the unseen structures of knowledge work. By focusing on experiential terms, the author reveals the role of self and mind in epistemic cultures, the materiality of conceptual objects, and the experiential ways of seizing, reviewing, and accrediting knowledge. It appeals to scholars in sociology, anthropology, and the humanities interested in the epistemic practice of their discipline.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the intricate world of social science researchers, capturing their experiences in fieldwork, collaborative discussions, and the crafting of scholarly works. Through an ethnographic approach inspired by ethnomethodology and conversation analysis, the author embarks on a praxeological exploration of social inquiry in situ. By conceptualizing analytical practices such as observation, shop talk, and conceptualization in experiential terms, the unseen but profound structures of knowledge work come to light, offering a rich tapestry for empirical analysis.

In a unique departure from traditional ethnographic studies of research, the author employs the example of sociological inquiry to shed new light on the intricate interplay between self and mind in epistemic cultures. They also delve into the elusive materiality of conceptual objects and the experiential ways in which researchers seize, review, and accredit knowledge. This comprehensive study encompasses a wide range of elementary sites within the research process, making it an invaluable resource for scholars across sociology, anthropology, and the humanities. Those with interests in the epistemic practices of their own discipline, as well as those exploring fields such as the social study of science, ethnomethodology, conversation analysis, and the sociology of interaction, will find immense value in The Body of Knowledge.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367438883