Dialectics and research methods in social sciences

Manolis Dafermos

Chapter 6 in Elgar Concise Encyclopedia of Research Methods in the Social Sciences, 2026, pp 43-49 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Dialectics serves both as a way of thinking and as an innovative philosophical, metatheoretical and methodological framework that has significantly shaped research in the social sciences. Unlike metaphysical approaches, which perceive entities as fixed, static and isolated, dialectics emphasises the dynamic interrelationships and ongoing processes of change that define social reality. At its core, dialectics offers a robust methodological framework for investigating social phenomena through the lens of contradictions, multiple negations and qualitative transformations. By examining the coexistence of contradictory trajectories, crises and spatio-temporal dynamics, dialectics enables researchers to uncover the underlying forces that drive social change. Furthermore, dialectics supports the development of a forward-looking research agenda by encouraging scholars to anticipate and address the complexities inherent in an ever-changing social landscape.

Keywords: Dialectics; Change; Contradiction; Method; Empiricism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781803921297
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