Introduction

Abstract

Research methods is a term open to multiple construals. For graduate programmes of study it often means one or more core courses that introduce the student to different research tools and their likely applicability. Often there is an implicit linearity: identify an important and not fully understood topic, formulate your research question, and then decide which methods to apply. There is little discussion of what to do if you find that there are no adequate methods to answer the research question other than go back to the start and find a new topic and question. Yet, in practice there can be an interplay as methods and question are iteratively adjusted and refined.