The Sociological Expedition as Research Practice and a Form of Hands-On Fieldwork Training Cover Image

Социологическая экспедиция как исследовательская практика и форма обучения полевой работе
The Sociological Expedition as Research Practice and a Form of Hands-On Fieldwork Training

Author(s): Alisa Maхimova, Ekaterina Pavlenko, Ivan Pavlyutkin, Greg Yudin
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Preschool education, School education, Higher Education , Social development, Sociology of Culture, Sociology of the arts, business, education, Ethnic Minorities Studies, Sociology of Education
Published by: Центр независимых социологических исследований (ЦНСИ)
Keywords: (Local) Community; Small Towns; Fieldwork; Research and Training Expeditions; Ethnography; Reflexivity; Sociological Education in Russia; Qualitative Methods;

Summary/Abstract: The concept of the “sociological expedition” implies various forms of collaborative empirical research, for which ethnographic fieldwork serves as the fundamental model. While this form of training students (“education through research”) is still relatively rare in Russia, in recent years its visibility has grown and its organizers have become more experienced. We were interested in finding out how, in each particular case, the idea of organizing such training retreats for students developed. What are the peculiarities and practical difficulties involved in conducting this kind of research and training? Finally, what role in the educational process should such research expeditions play? Participants in the discussion below note the importance of collaborative field research to students’ professional socialization and reflect about their own experiences of such trips, expressing regret that academic institutions still do not sufficiently support the practice.

  • Issue Year: 7/2015
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 162-170
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Russian