Hello,

I am working on a PhD in British Studies (foreign policy/ Mideast/ geostrategy) and although I chose to use historicism and International Relations theories I feel stuck with that aspect of my studies. What other tools do you suggest? I don't know if it's only me but I find this part more challenging than the actual research!!! Your input is greatly appreciated. Anything related to Chomsky methodology-wise would be a plus.
Please don't hesitate to send me links to actual proposals/ theses using the methods you advise. I am really stuck!!!
Thanks for your help!!!

Isn't investigation of methodology part and parcel of your researching?
You seem to be suggesting it's a separate task.
Is your research showing no literature hits for the methodology you mentioned above?

Hello pm133,

Methodology is not a separate part obviously; I just wanted to hear suggestions about other research methodologies that might be relevant to my research.

Make your own methodology.

Ignore other people, decide what you want to do and do it. Justify how you did it and make sure there aren't any gaping holes. You don't need someone to tell you which defined method, is the THE option.

Original research is about proving new ideas and the methodology is only a tool to get you results. So create something new or adapt someone else. As long as the method gets you the results you want (without any bias or errors) it is fine. Everyone forgets that methodology is a tool and half the battle is choosing the right tool for the job.

PS: My methodology is lifted verbatim from 4 papers in 3 different fields, with the fun being to try get them them to work together

Since you're working in the field of British Studies, I'd suggest examining historiography itself. Modern history is, to a large extent, contains and extends the colonial model of history. It excludes other indigenous forms of history-making. You can examine works that claim fiction can be historiographical. For eg: you can look at the feminist standpoint theory (its stance on fiction) and Ranjit Guha's History at the Limits of World History for starters.

Since you'd asked for some linked references, I am including a full PDF version of:
1. History at the Limit of World History (http://abahlali.org/files/Guha_history_limit.pdf)
2. A list of Sociology related texts for your perusal:

You can find much material about Feminist Standpoint theory online. Please look up Susan Hekman and Harding.

Hope these help!

Hi all!

Thanks a lot for your input and encouragement. Thanks too for lawlin for providing me with the links.

I'd just like to note that although my PhD is originally in British Studies, it is actually multidisciplinary in that it deals with Foreign policy/ international relations & politics/ geostrategy. As you may imagine, there are countless methodologies that could be used. Although I set to use IR & historicism, I feel an urge to use Chomsky's Propaganda Model although I won't be focusing on the media (?) and I have no idea how. I could also use geostrategy/ geopolitics methodology. Any other one?

I think what I am doing really is brainstorming my ideas here as I am thinking about making a number of changes in the direction of my research. I hope what I'm saying makes sense; if it doesn't, my excuse is that I had a very bad sleep last night...