Researching within research:

New methodological paths from Michel Foucault

Abstract

This work aims to present an alternative approach to archaeogenealogical research: one inspired by the thought of Michel Foucault. Assuming that a specific way of conducting research emerges from Michel Foucault's thought, we have chosen four core problems to address: the problem of foundation, selection, argumentation, and validation of research. For each core problem, we will present a specific approach, aiming to disentangle ourselves from unproductive or unnecessary requirements that, in our opinion, prevent research from actually researching. We will do this based on the notions of research spectrum, research problem, research argumentation, and research object. Each of these notions corresponds to a topic in this work. This involves proposing a way to reorganize the research that effectively positions how it will engage with related authors and themes, the reason for its unique presentation, and a strategy for achieving satisfactory reach and persuasion among the reader, the field of study in which it is situated, and those who share some affinity with it. In doing so, we will not only be giving substance to the proposition of new forms of procedure in an archaeogenealogical research but also revisiting important aspects of Michel Foucault's thought that are of great value to the relationship between theory and research – which therefore situates this work both within the line of reflections on methodology and research and also at the frontiers between Philosophy and Education. Thus, although we consider ourselves to be following certain methodological approaches based on the work of Michel Foucault already undertaken by other authors, our understanding is that this type of work is still rarely carried out and that the methods of organizing research inspired by the thought of Michel Foucault are much more intuitive or excessively linked to the researcher's personal style than planned, organized, and referenced to a methodological position consistent with archeogenealogy.