New Books in Political Science Colette Einfeld and Helen Sullivan, "How to Conduct Interpretive Research: Insights for Students and Researchers" (Edward Elgar, 2025)
Jan 27, 2026
Helen Sullivan, a public policy dean and interpretive research scholar, and Colette Einfeld, a postdoc and former supervisee focused on methods for early-career researchers. They talk about why they co-edited a book, choosing diverse contributors, defining interpretive research, embracing messiness and emotion, learning interpretive language, and hopes for the field’s future and AI’s role.
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Multiple Paths Into Interpretivism
- The editors accepted multiple definitions of interpretivism and let authors define their own stance.
- They balance respect for canonical traditions with openness to different entry points into interpretive work.
Practice Critical Reflexivity And Name Emotions
- Embrace critical reflexivity: reflect on your methods and the genealogy of interpretivism.
- Acknowledge and talk about emotions and the messy, emotional reality of doing interpretive research.
Be Rigorous While Accepting Messiness
- Do not mistake interpretivism's messiness for lack of discipline; learn the rules and skills.
- Represent your rigorous interpretive process clearly so readers can engage its merits.
