Tännsjö s nine methodological principles (Very personal notes, English not edited)

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1 Tännsjö s nine methodological principles (Very personal notes, English not edited) Gloria L. Gallardo Fernández Assoc. professor in sociology CEFO's Director of Research Studies, CSD (Centre for Sustainable Development) Uppsala University Villavägen 16, Uppsala, Sweden Fax: 46-(0) , Phone: 46-(0)

2 Tännsjö s nine methodological principles (Sociologisk forskning 3/1974) The last goal for all higher education is to transfer the knowledge

3 Within the frame of objectives stated in the Higher Education Ordinance graduated students should show: Knowledge and understanding both broad and in-depth knowledge within certain parts of the sustainable development field together with an in-depth insight in research and developmental work. This is acquired during the first three terms but is shown first and foremost in the final thesis project, knowledge concerning methods within the field of sustainable development. knowledge concerning natural and societal constraints and premises towards a sustainable development. Skills and abilities apply qualitative and quantitative methods for managing natural resources at different spatial and temporal scales apply specific tools to identify and analyse complex problems, and suggest methods and solutions within the limits of a sustainable development. suggest methods and solutions aiming at reaching a sustainable development. Ability to value and relate an awareness regarding global and long-term dimensions of sustainability and a capacity to identify sustainability issues at local, regional and global scales, and the power to appreciate and discuss sustainability discourses and their assumptions from different points of view.

4 For me, a good help to reach educational goals is to strongly encourage students to internalise what Tännsjö synthesised as 9 methodological principles. These principles form part of a critical academic tradition, which is hereditary both of positivism and rationalism, but that is also inspired by Marx.

5 Tännsjö s 9 methodological principles First principle: set the studied phenomenon within a broader context. An example is phenomena like economic globalisation, the state, the civil society, etc. These concepts, today central in any analysis of SD, are themselves nothing but historical categories. A concrete example: PROBLEM: TURFs are presented by some scholars as a social-ecological success; by others as showing economic and compliance problems. Studies looking at the material conditions in which fishers produce and reproduce their livelihoods, and in which TURFs emerge, are scarcer.

6 Second principle: apply a historical perspective to the studied phenomena

7 Third principle: Study the phenomenon in their changeable aspects, paying attention to their dynamics. Social structures are not static, showing also discontinuity.

8 The fourth principle: try to go beyond the surface of the studied phenomenon, placing a critical perspective on that which appears to be natural or given.

9 Fifth principle: study the conflict of interests between diverse social agents Chilean students protest against the present education system 9

10 Sixth principle: to treat every hypothesis as being possible to dismiss. H 1: All swans are white I founf a black swan. H 1 is false.

11 Seventh principle: be aware of the concepts you used and their implications

12 Eighth principle: choose carefully the concepts according to the purpose of your study

13 Ninth principle: get near the reality through abstractions, by constructing models in order to grasp the studied object Concepts do not represents the reality, but are ideal types, mental constructions we use to study a social reality.

14 We can add two other important principles/considerations to Tannsjö s methodological principles. 10: To integrate a gender perspective and a minority perspective (sexual, ethnic and disable capacity) where pertinent. Our definitions of sexuality, conventions, beliefs, identities and behaviors have been shaped within specific power relations.

15 11: To integrate the ethical principles and democratic rights in relation to the social subjects studied. For example in the field doing research. Raising false expectations - don t make promises that you can t keep - explain who you are and what you are doing - explain what they get out of the research

16 Exercise Chose one relevant sustainable development issue to analyse and apply the 11 methodological principles when pertinent. Write it in a flipchart in BIG CAPITAL LETTERS to present for the class.