Publications
Publication details [#12463]
Hertog, Erik, Jan Van Gucht and Leen de Bontridder. 2006. Musings on methodology. In Hertog, Erik and Bart van der Veer, eds. Taking stock: research and methodology in community interpreting. Special issue of Linguistica Antverpiensia: New Series 5: 121–132.
Publication type
Article in Special issue
Publication language
English
Abstract
As an applied science, community interpreting research is often tributary to the social sciences for its methods. Indeed, focus groups, interviews, questionnaires and case studies, in other words both quantitative and qualitative surveys and analyses are part and parcel of the social sciences methodology and are becoming increasingly common in CI research as well. But, as is often the case with applied scientific research, when it comes to adopting the methodological orthodoxy of the parent science, it is sometimes found lacking in methodological coherence and rigour. In the authors' view, the most commonly found methodological hiatus in the current empirical CI research literature is the (mis)use of research designs of an essentially exploratory nature to generate broad sweeping conclusions at medium or even grand theory level, typically resulting in a total lack of falsifiability. A second point of concern is a rather generalised lack of validation of the outcomes of field research. That is why this article proposes a critical reflection on empirical research methodology in the field of community based interpreting in the form of a tentative typology of research methodologies, illustrated with an example taken from the authors’ own research.
Source : Based on abstract in journal