Putting theory to work in research: Methods for reading and writing

Dr Helen Colley

September 14, 2018 —11-1.30pm

OISE

Room 7-105

One of the most difficult challenges for doctoral researchers is getting to grips with theory, and they are often daunted by this aspect of the work. All too often, methods for working with theory are shrouded in mystification, and ‘applying theory’ is seen as something to be done – but how? – when writing up the dissertation at the end of the research project.

In this workshop, we will look at methods for working with theory throughout your doctoral research. Using practical examples, we will begin by looking at how to read for theory from the very start of a research project, while engaging with the literature on a topic. A fundamental premise here is that there is no such thing as ‘theory-free’ research: ‘findings’ are always deeply influenced by theory, however explicit or tacit. The second part of the workshop will address some of the challenges of integrating theory into our own writing. How can we deal with competing theoretical approaches? How can we disagree with eminent scholars? How can we figure out which theories to apply to our own research? And how can we put theory to work in our writing?