Metodebruken

Metodebruken is a concept in research methodology that refers to how methods are chosen, applied, adapted, and transmitted within a research setting. The term is used in Norwegian and Scandinavian academic discourse to describe the practical use of research methods rather than their theoretical properties.

Core elements include method selection (why a particular approach is chosen), adaptation (modifying methods to fit a context), combination (integration of multiple methods, such as mixed-methods), and execution (the actual conduct of data collection and analysis). The concept emphasizes the lifecycle of methods from design to dissemination.

Actors: researchers, supervisors, methodologists, and institutions shape method use through training, funding, and peer norms. Social and technical infrastructures—software, datasets, repositories—also influence choices. Method use evolves with new tools, standards, and demands for rigor and reproducibility.

Applications: Metodebruken is used in empirical studies of science and higher education, project evaluations, and organizational analyses to understand why and how methods spread across fields. It helps examine methodological innovation, cross-disciplinary borrowing, and the ethics of methodological decisions.

Critiques: the concept risks vagueness and overemphasis on practice at the expense of theoretical justification. Operationalizing 'use' can be challenging, and assessments may be biased by disciplinary norms. Proponents argue for clearer definitions and robust, mixed-methods approaches to study it.