ABSTRACT

This paper argues that methodological uncertainty, such as that experienced by the social research community through the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022) is, and has always been, a vital part of the research landscape. Whilst recognising the many damaging effects of the uncertainties of the pandemic on research and researchers, we home in on the potential of the challenges raised by uncertainty as a force for methodological innovation. We introduce three InTouch project research studies conducted during Lockdown and reflect on the methodological challenges raised by the change and uncertainty of the pandemic. We describe our use, adaptation and reorientation of creative, sensory, and speculative methods to overcome these challenges. We reflect on how we mobilised the uncertain methodological terrain of digital touch and social research in the pandemic as a resource for methodological innovation.

摘要

本文认为，方法论的不确定性，例如社会研究界在 COVID-19 大流行（2020-2022 年）中所经历的不确定性，一直是研究领域的重要组成部分。在认识到大流行的不确定性对研究和研究人员造成许多破坏性影响的同时，我们关注不确定性作为方法创新力量所带来的挑战的潜力。我们介绍了封锁期间进行的三项 InTouch 项目研究，并反思了大流行的变化和不确定性带来的方法学挑战。我们描述了我们对创造性、感官和推测方法的使用、适应和重新定位，以克服这些挑战。我们反思了如何在大流行中调动数字触摸和社会研究的不确定方法论领域作为方法论创新的资源。