Performative social science: a consideration of skills, purpose and context

Abstract: 'This article reviews recent work applying a notion of 'performance' in the study and representation of lives. It tries to clarify some of the issues involved - including the meaning of 'performance' - and 'performative' - the range of possible approaches (e.g., in addition to drama-other arts) and the relationship between 'subjects', 'researcher' and 'audience'. An immediate concern is the nature of the researcher - as having the necessary skills and abilities or knowledge involved in 'performance' (in researching, writing, recording and representing), as engaged (to some extent) in 'artistic' endeavour, and moving between a number of 'roles' and social relations in 'performing' with/ to others (the 'researched' group, audience and society). An important issue for social science in crossing or bridging the social science-arts, in taking up 'performative approaches', is 'What remains distinctive about the social science if it becomes involved with performance approaches?' As a sour

Object Details

• Alternative title: Performative Sozialwissenschaft: Überlegungen zu Qualifikationen, Zweck und Kontext
• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Performative social science: a consideration of skills, purpose and context ; volume:34 ; number:1 ; year:2009 ; pages:307-353 ; Veröffentlichungsversion ; begutachtet (peer reviewed) ; Historical social research ; 34, Heft 1 (2009), 307-353

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Nachrichtenmedien, Journalismus, Verlagswesen ; Sozialwissenschaften, Soziologie, Anthropologie

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Roberts, Brian

Further information

• DOI: 10.12759/hsr.34.2009.1.307-353
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-286480
• Rights: Open Access; Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:43 AM CEST