Doing Memory Research: New Methods and Approaches - Practical

In this review of Doing Memory Research: New Methods and Approaches the editors present a clear, method-focused collection aimed at researchers and advanced students working on memory and place. The book's single biggest reason to buy is its explicit attention to the practice of conducting memory studies, showing how diverse qualitative approaches yield insights about identity and location. The review finds this collection most valuable for scholars who need concrete methodological examples rather than a purely theoretical overview, and it highlights the book's strength in translating method into practice.

Key Features

• Methodological focus: Chapters demonstrate specific qualitative methods so readers can see how approaches are applied in real memory research projects.
• Interdisciplinary perspective: Contributions draw from multiple disciplines, offering varied lenses on memory, place and identity that broaden research design options.
• Practical examples: The collection presents case studies that help readers understand how methodological choices shape findings about memory.
• Engagement with doing research: Editors and authors explicitly discuss fieldwork decisions and methods, useful for trainees designing studies.
• Connections to place and identity: The book links methodological practice to substantive concerns, helping researchers connect technique to interpretation.

Who It's For

Doing Memory Research is best suited to graduate students, early-career researchers and established scholars who want a stronger grasp of qualitative techniques tailored to memory studies. Its focus on the doing of research makes it particularly helpful for those preparing fieldwork, interviews or site-based analysis.

Readers seeking a purely theoretical history of memory or an introductory textbook for undergraduates should look elsewhere; the collection assumes some prior knowledge of memory studies and centers on methodology rather than broad survey content.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides concrete methodological examples that translate theory into research practice.
• Offers interdisciplinary approaches that expand the toolkit for memory and place analysis.
• Editors foreground the practicalities of fieldwork, which benefits readers planning projects.

Cons

• Not a general introductory text on the history of memory; it emphasizes method over broad theory.

Specifications

Title	Doing Memory Research: New Methods and Approaches
Editors / Authors	Danielle Drozdzewski, Carolyn Birdsall
Subject	Memory studies, methodology, qualitative research
Approach	Multidisciplinary qualitative methods and case studies
Focus	Links between memory, place and identity through research practice

Our Verdict

Doing Memory Research is a practical, method-oriented collection that will reward researchers who need concrete guidance on designing and conducting memory studies. It is good value for scholars and advanced students wanting to bridge method and interpretation, though those seeking an introductory theoretical overview should consider other texts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book focus on methods or theory?
Answer. The collection emphasizes the practical doing of memory research and uses case studies to show methods in action rather than providing a broad theoretical survey.

Who edited this volume?
Answer. The book is edited by Danielle Drozdzewski and Carolyn Birdsall, who frame the methodological contributions.

Is this suitable for beginners?
Answer. It is best for graduate students and researchers with some background in memory studies; complete beginners may find it more method-focused than introductory.