Using Foucault's Methods
- Gavin Kendall - Queensland University of Technology, Australia
- Gary Wickham - Murdoch University, Australia
Qualitative Research (General)
`Very much a `hands-on' tool kit of a book, scholarly but accessible.... a very useful textbook which approaches its subject in an original way' - Sociological Research Online
`At last, a student-friendly guide that answers the question: "Yes, but how do you do Foucault?" Kendall and Wickham address the thorny question of how-to-Foucault in a clear, distinctive manner that stands out in the secondary literature on this important thinker' - Toby Miller, New York University
This book provides a clear, straightforward guide to those who want to apply the work of Foucault to their own field of interest. The authors employ an accessible style to encourage readers to engage with Foucault's work by tackling the issues that students most often raise.
The book is organized around the following themes: history, archaeology, genealogy and discourse as the cornerstones of Foucault's methods; and science and culture as important objects of analysis for those using Foucault's methods. The book enables the reader to understand how Foucault's contribution to social thought can be applied and opens up possibilities for researchers to use Foucault rather than merely discuss him.
`As a companion to Foucault's original texts, carefully showing what he's done and why -- and how that could be applied elsewhere -- it's outstanding' - www.theory.org.uk
`Very much a `hands-on' tool kit of a book, scholarly but accessible.... a very useful textbook which approaches its subject in an original way' - Sociological Research Online
`At last, a student-friendly guide that answers the question: "Yes, but how do you do Foucault?" Kendall and Wickham address the thorny question of how-to-Foucault in a clear, distinctive manner that stands out in the secondary literature on this important thinker' - Toby Miller, New York University
An in depth exploration of using discourse as a main research tool. The book is very easy to grasp even though it deals with quite a complicated theory and theoretical approach. A must for any student that thinks of using Foucualt as their main research theory
This provides both the philosophical and methodological instruction that I want my students to learn.
this is a fab book for anyone struggling to implement foucault, well worth a look 5 stars
This book is both fantastic and problematic - the problem mainly being in the limited scope of the title.
A better title could be: Using Foucault's and Latour's methods.
It is one of THE most accessible and clearest introductions to sociology of scientific knowledge, science-and-technology studies and actor-network theory.
It clearly shows continuities between Bruno Latour, Michael Callon and John Law and Foucault and how it can be used and applied both as an analytic mentality / sensibility and more practically. It demystifies the often complex and difficult Foucault, it grounds his work in applicability and it shows strong and fascinating links with other concerns about qualitative research generally.
Unfortunately the title and blurb don't really indicate this. We're adopting it as a recommended text on a course introducing SSK and STS. The lead conveners reaction on looking at the title and cover was "why are you giving this to me this course has NOTHING to do with Foucault, followed by a "wow that's so clear" moment as I took them through the content and reasons. "Why have I never heard of this book" is a response raised by colleagues and fellow scholars using actor-network theory? Again - the title is misleadingly narrow and a little faddish perhaps - implying a toolbox for cultural studies undergrads struggling with Foucault's work and seeking a "how to". This book does a bit of that but does much more interesting things in other ways.
The student voices and examples are a little forced and trite at times - with made up dialogue grating on occasion - in particular in the conclusion but these are easily skipped.
However the writing is clear, accessible, and makes powerful and important points. An truly excellent but sadly likely to be missed due to mis-placed and mis- or narrowly-titled book.
An essential introduction to and synthesis of SSK, STS and ANT.
I found this book a helpful companion in trying to understand texts on Foucault. It helps clarify some of the difficulties in full comprehension of those texts.
I think this is one of the best books I have read in a long time
A must for understanding Foucault's methods for any qualitative researcher. The book has a teaching quality that is accessible to many students, both undergraduate and postgraduate.
This is an essential companion for any research student who has come into contact with Foucault. This text is highly accessible and encourages students to engage and apply Foucault's ideas within their own research. The exercises included are a useful resource for tutors as well as highly motivated, independent students. Subsequent editions could revise some of these exercises to make them quicker to complete.
