New Books in Sociology Christopher R. Matthews, "Doing Good Social Science: Lessons from Immersion, Understanding Social Life and Exploring the In-Between" (Routledge, 2025)
Aug 15, 2025
Christopher R. Matthews is a Nottingham-based social scientist and author of 'Doing Good Social Science.' He shares his insights on immersive experiences that reveal the complexities of social life and highlights the importance of context in research. Matthews discusses the dual structure of his book, providing guidance for both early-career and seasoned academics. He explores the challenges of traditional vs. self-publishing and advocates for creative control in academia. Using boxing and the sea as metaphors, he illustrates how deep engagement enhances research insights.
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Core Principles Of Good Social Science
- Social science should prioritize immersion, faithfulness to data, and acknowledgement of researchers' positions.
- Matthews argues these principles produce deeper, more accurate understandings of emergent social life.
Use Principles Not Prescriptive How‑Tos
- Start with pragmatic, clear principles rather than prescriptive how-to instructions for methods.
- Use the first part of the book to guide PhD beginnings and practical qualitative research steps.
Refine Your Grammar Of Thought
- Academics often adopt habitual, binary thinking shaped by institutional systems.
- Matthews urges refining the 'grammar of thought' to improve reflexivity and scholarly reasoning.
