1. Risk, Creativity & Ethics: Dimensions of innovation in qualitative social science research methods
Melanie Nind, Rose Wiles, Andrew Bengry-Howell, Graham Crow
University of Southampton

2. Structure The nature of methodological innovation Three case studies
Methods
Findings
Conclusions

3. Context
NCRM’s overall mission is to provide a strategic focal point for the identification, development and delivery of an integrated national research and training programme aimed at promoting a step change in the quality and range of methodological skills and techniques used by the UK social science community and providing support for, and dissemination of, methodological innovation and excellence within the UK.

4. Defining features
Should be rooted in genuine attempt to improve some aspect of the research process (not just gimmickry or innovation for innovation sake)
Driven by complex social relations
Can comprise developments to established methods as well as new methods
Should (arguably) be some level of dissemination, acceptance and take-up in the social science community (but process slow)
(Travers, 2009; Coffey and Taylor, 2008; Xenitidou and Gilbert, 2012)

5. Drivers of innovation
Value placed on innovation by research councils, funders, journal editors & reviewers, REF etc
Emergence of complex new social situations, developments in disciplines, and resulting research questions
Affordances of new technologies
Filling methods gaps and respodonding to ethical concerns

6. The Cases Online/Virtual ethnography … Netnography Robert Kozinets
Child-led research … Children as Researchers Mary Kellett
Creative methods … Lego Serious Play David Gauntlett

7. Methods interviews with developer of the method/approach
interviews with users, reviewers, commentators, appliers
review of academic response to innovations

8. Thematic analysis Timeliness – why this, why now Distinctiveness
Contribution to the substantive area, discipline or methods
Process of breakthrough, acceptance and uptake
Potential future

9. Findings
Innovators motivated by perceived needs, shortcomings & ethical concerns
Process involves publication, publicity, championing, fit with the time and mood
Innovators take & manage risks
There are dangers as well as virtues
Reflexivity is essential

10. Conclusions Importance of the long view
Need for us to innovate with caution and in response to genuine social or methodological need or opportunity
Need for reflexivity
But where is innovation in educational research?

11. For more detail see
Nind, M., Wiles, R.A., Bengry-Howell, A. & Grow, G.P. (2012) Methodological Innovation and Research Ethics: Forces in tension or forces in harmony? Qualitative Research i1-12.
Wiles, R.A., Bengry-Howell, A., Nind, M. & Crow, G. (in press) But is it innovation? The development of novel methodological approaches in qualitative research, Methodological Innovation Online.