A Methodology for Social Research. With a New Introductory Essay PDF
Preview A Methodology for Social Research. With a New Introductory Essay
A Methodology Social Research A Methodology Social Research With a New Introductory Essay Gideon Sjoberg Roger Nett f-N WAVELAND PRESS, INC. ___ \ / Prospect Heights, Illinois For information about this book, write or call: Waveland Press, Inc. P.0. Box 400 Prospect Heights, Illinois 60070 (847) 634-0081 Copyright © 1968 by Gideon Sjoberg and Roger Nett 1997 reissued by Waveland Press, Inc. “Reflective Methodology: The Foundations of Social Inquiry” © 1997 by Gideon Sjoberg ISBN 0-88133-914-8 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 / Contents Preface ix 1997 Revisions Acknowledgments xi Reflective Methodology: The Foundations of Social Inquiry by Gideon Sjoberg xiii 1 Introduction 1 Goals and Basic Themes 1 Underlying Assumptions of Our Theoretical Perspective 4 The Sociology of Knowledge Orientation 10 A Forward Look 12 2 Basic Orientations Toward the Scientific Method 14 Science Has a History 14 The Basic Postulates of Science 23 The Nature of Theory and Data 28 3 The Logic of Inquiry and the Nature of Theoretical Systems 39 The Nature of Logical Systems 39 V vi Contents The Relevance of Varieties of Logical Systems for Social Research 46 The Problem of Inference 48 Theoretical Assumptions and Logical-Theoretical Constructs 58 4 The Researcher and the Social System 70 Science As a System of Norms 70 Scientists and Their Associations 76 The Scientist’s Role and Functions 80 Status of the Scientist 92 5 Selection and Preliminary Formulation of a Research Project 96 Critical Factors in the Formulation of Research Projects 97 Research Grants, Bureaucracies, and Project Formulation 108 Cultural and Social Strictures on Social Research 112 The Ethics of Project Selection 120 6 Selection of Units and Sources of Data 129 The Special Versus the General Universe 129 Defining the Special Universe 133 Selecting a Special Universe 136 Selection of Units Within a Special Universe 144 Probability Sampling 147 Deviations from the Ideal in Probability Sampling 151 Circumventing the Barriers 155 Sampling and the Study of Social Norms 156 7 Direct Observation 160 Definition and Types of Direct Observation 160 Limitations of Direct Observation 161 Direct Observation by Laymen 162 Direct Observation by Scientists 167 Impact of the Observer’s Conceptual System 169 Impact of the Observer’s Status and Role 173 The Sensitive Observer and Scientific Discovery 179 Controlled Observation 182 Contents vii 8 Indirect Observation / 187 Data Gathering by Lay Observers 187 The Structured Interview 193 Interviewer and Interviewee in the Structured Interview 202 The Unstructured Interview 211 The Interviewee, the Unstructured Interview, and the Sociocultural System 218 9 Theoretical Analysis 223 Theoretical Assumptions and Theory Building 223 Ideology and the Social Order 233 Diverse Logics of Theory Building 237 Typological Analysis 248 10 Analysis of Data: Cases and Numbers 257 Case Analysis 257 Numerical Analysis 265 Analysis of Individuals and Collectivities 284 11 The Nature and Adequacy of Explanation 288 Explanation: Some General Considerations 288 The Nature of Social Causation 293 The Reliability and Validity of Evidence 298 The Nature of Prediction and Control 308 12 The Dissemination of Research Findings 314 The Nature of Communication 314 Factors That Affect the Publication of Research Findings 315 Publishing the Findings 332 The Impact and Use of Published Materials 336 The Burgeoning of Publications 339 Index of Names 345 Index of Subjects 353 v ..
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