ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the pragmatic approach I have taken when using qualitative methodologies to research crowd behaviour at large events (such as crowd disorder and emergencies). I look at how using qualitative methods is often the most pragmatic way to collect and analyse data on large crowd events and how this can also feed into the dissemination of my findings. This overtly pragmatic approach to researching crowd behaviour can mean that there is less emphasis on providing detailed epistemological and/or ontological accounts that are common with other forms of qualitative research, and forms of data analysis (such as Thematic Analysis) that best fit this approach are explored. However, I also explore how bias appears in my own research, and how I try to take this into account. I also discuss the role of reflexivity and explain why I don’t tend to use it within my own published outputs, and instead provide reflection in my less formal writing (such as my web-blog). Finally, I look at how my pragmatic approaches to research can be incorporated within the curriculum and look at how I use it in my own teaching with Masters’ level students to help give them practical guidance as they begin their own research journeys.
