ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to profound changes in social science research methodology. Traditional methods of approaching research have undergone significant transformation, accompanied by adjustments and innovations adapted to the reality imposed by the global health crisis. The impact of these transformations has become increasingly evident (though often overlooked) during the course of the pandemic, but more interestingly, some of them are having further implications and represent a potential paradigm shift in the way social science research is, and could be, conducted. This chapter provides an overview of the theoretical reflections and practical examples regarding changes, adaptations, and innovations in social science research that have been explored during the pandemic. In the last section of this introductory chapter, readers will find a presentation of the different contributions that make up this book, which is structured around three major themes (“Developing pandemic sensitivities”, “Innovative pandemic methods”, and “Critical pandemic methodologies”) illustrated by 11 theoretical and empirical chapters from various international scholars, referring to different case studies from around the world.
