Researchrather

Researchrather is a term used in contemporary discussions of research philosophy and methodology to describe a stance or approach that foregrounds the choice of research direction as a deliberate preference. It is not a formal theory but a label applied to practices that treat the act of selecting questions and methods as a central part of the research process rather than as a preliminary step before inquiry begins.

Origin and usage: The coinage appears in online scholarly discussion in the late 2010s and early 2020s, with various authors applying it to different fields. Because it emerged informally, there is no single authoritative definition, and the term is used more as a heuristic than a fixed doctrine. Some writers attach political or ethical dimensions to the practice, while others emphasize methodological reflexivity.

Core principles: Researchrather emphasizes adaptability, reflexivity, transparency, collaboration, and openness. It encourages researchers to acknowledge and examine their own biases, to engage with diverse perspectives, and to make decision processes visible. The approach treats research direction as something that can and should evolve in response to findings, context, and community input.

Practices and applications: Implementing researchrather often involves documenting research choices alongside results, preregistering or outlining protocols where possible, and maintaining detailed workflows. It favors iterative design, exploratory phases alongside confirmatory work, and the use of mixed methods or open data to support replication and dialogue.

Reception and critique: The term is noted for prompting attention to how questions are framed and how methods are chosen, but it has been criticized for being vague or overlapping with existing concepts in research ethics and participatory design. Proponents call for clarifying guidelines and concrete examples to improve clarity and utility.

Related terms include open science, reflexivity, participatory research, and exploratory research.