Introduction to the Special Issue: The Processes of Methodological Innovation Narrative Accounts and Reflections

Abstract

In recent years there has been an upsurge of interest in methodological innovation and innovative methodologies in the social sciences. Driven by a wider, global impetus for innovation, discussions have centred on the use, application, diffusion and success of new methods. In the social sciences in particular, this upsurge of interest has been attributed to a need to respond to the complexities of the social world that has encouraged methodological, disciplinary and institutional interaction and cross-fertilisation. However, these discussions usually overlook the processes involved in methodological innovation and ignore their role in shaping innovative methodologies. This special issue aims to trigger discussion on the processes of methodological innovation in the social science community and beyond.