The “Theoretical Re-Problematization Process”. A Methodological Proposal for Research in Sociological Theory

Abstract

This article presents the Theoretical Re-Problematization Process as a methodological proposal specially designed to carry out eminently theoretical sociological research. It starts from the free articulation of the notions of “Problematization” (Castel) and “Theorization” (Swedberg). Then, it addresses in detail the three operational “moments” involved in the proposal: first, the “set-up” supposes the initial decision making regarding the way of tackling the study object. Second, the “start-up” refers to the moment of deployment of the analytical process itself. And, finally, as a conclusion, the “self-reflexive closure” looks back in retrospective upon the path travelled in order to identify emergencies, recurrences, tensions, which enable the setting of new trajectories, questions and hypotheses. To illustrate all this, the article draws upon the “case” of the successive re-problematizations of the urban question in the work of Gino Germani.