Social Science Research in Conflict Zones

Social Science Research in Conflict Zones: A Monograph on Fieldwork in Kashmir is a methodological work based on the issues and challenges of doing field work in conflict zones based on author's field work experiences and his study on the researchers researching in conflict zones. Though a rich body of work exists on dangerous research but researchers have so far questioned conflict or highlighted the dangers of doing research in such perilous conditions. However the very authenticity and credibility of researches has hardly been questioned or doubted so far which has led to false generalizations and wrong theory building. This work is based on such an untouched theme which calls for a total rethink on methodology of research in conflict zones. The researcher enters the field, conducts research and believes all data as valid & scientific but hardly realizes that the field is a field of illusion, the rapport built is actually a fake rapport and the respondents are fake, irritated and erratic. Therefore we need a new design on conceptualizing the problems of fieldwork in conflict ridden areas and there has to be a difference in methodology for conflict and other peaceful zones.