Who moves to the methodological edge? Factors that encourage scientists to use unconventional methods

•We study scholarly use of three unconventional methods in sociology using unique bibliometric and interview data.•Men and scholars at top-tier universities have a greater hazard of using unconventional methods.•More interdisciplinary scholars have a greater hazard of using unconventional methods.•These associations are contingent on the method’s divergence from conventional epistemology and lineage visibility.•Scholars manage risks associated with unconventionality by displaying conventional competence and consistent commitment.