Exploring Methodological Devices: Understanding the Complexities and Implications of Research Methods

This paper explores the concept of methodological devices, which refers to the material objects and immaterial ideas that come together to configure ways of conducting social research. Methodological devices, like other devices, ‘do things’ and are linked to the relationship between method and object, as they constitute each other. The term acknowledges that social research methods are not only sociocultural artifacts but also work to ‘make up’ and may profoundly influence the phenomena they set out to study. Therefore, a methodological device can be viewed as an assemblage of material artifacts, human users, practices, ideas, and spaces that is constantly subject to change. Such devices are not only methods for research but also themselves may be viewed as objects of analysis. It is challenging to disentangle the distinctions between object, subject, and technique of research, and the focus of inquiry into methodological devices is not only on how appropriate, accurate, or ethical they are for various purposes, but also on their potentialities, capacities, and limitations, how they configure the objects they are attempting to study and measure, and how they serve political purposes. This paper highlights the importance of considering methodological devices as complex assemblages that are constantly subject to change and that possess a social life of their own. It emphasizes that these devices should be examined not only for their technical appropriateness but also for their political implications and how they configure the objects of study. The paper argues that understanding the potentialities, capacities, and limitations of methodological devices is crucial for making informed decisions about research methods and for critically examining the social and political implications of research practices. By exploring the concept of methodological devices, this paper aims to contribute to ongoing discussions about the role of research methods in shaping our understanding of the social world. In conclusion, this paper provides a novel and critical perspective on the concept of methodological devices, highlighting the importance of viewing them as complex assemblages that are subject to change and possess a social life of their own. It argues that understanding the potentialities, capacities, and limitations of methodological devices is crucial for making informed decisions about research methods and for critically examining the social and political implications of research practices.