In the centre of the orbits -Crafting Methods

The third chapter introduces the reader to what can be understood as a method in research and what the function of methods entails. The core of the chapter develops the Crafting Methods framework, situated at the "inner core" of the offered research design model and created to help artist-researchers develop methods from scratch rather than using those predefined by discipline, convention, or tradition "by default". The chapter opens with an exploration of how methods are generally understood and defined in different research contexts. There are not many clearly defined criteria as to what a method is or entails; in most publications on research methods and methodology the framing of what a method actually is is taken for granted or answered on the concrete level - rather than on a generative, overarching, or defining level - by providing examples of research methods. Through asking the question "What is a method, actually?" or "What constitutes a method?", this chapter proposes a reframing of method as a non-hierarchical and flexible network of five elements: (human and non-human) Entities, Activities, Documentation, (Forms of) Reflection and Learning/Experiencing/Knowing.