What is a method? On the different uses of the term method in sociology

ABSTRACT

This article has two major goals: to present the different ways in which sociologists use the term ‘method’; and to suggest a tentative explanation why these been invested with their current meaning. The following uses are discussed: method as a mean to a goal; methods as methodology; the scientific method; method as a craft; and the heuristic method. It is also pointed out that sociologists today tend to view methods as distinct and independent of theory. The main reason for this, it is argued, is that modern sociologists have broken with the view of the classics that sociology as a science is defined by having its own distinct object of research (such as social facts [Durkheim] or social action [Weber]). The tendency to ignore this and instead study anything ‘social’, which is common in modern sociology, has important consequences for theory as well as methods. The two will tend to drift apart, with the result that theory tends to become out of touch, and methods be seen as the best way to access reality and understand what is going on. Methods, however, cannot replace theory.

KEYWORDS:

• Method
• methodology
• scientific method
• craft
• theory
• heuristics
• object of research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 The term ‘social’ precedes the first use of the term ‘sociology’ (1839) with many centuries. Over the years it has acquired a huge number of meanings (e.g. OED 2009). Some people, for example, are described as social, while others are anti-social; there are social animals and animals that live alone; and so on. Bruno Latour has criticized the term social for being too narrow to be useful in social science (Latour 2005, 5ff; see also Dolwick 2009). The stance of this article is that the term social is much too broad and vague to be useful in sociology (similarly Bourdieu, Chamboredon, and Passeron 1991; Durkheim [1895] 1982, 501; Luhmann 1992, 67). For problems with using the term society as foundational for sociology, see e.g. Frisby (1986), Luhmann (1992).

2 According to Merton, Lazarsfeld was always asking, ‘What is sociology?’ (Rogers 1997, 247). Also: ‘Paul never believed there was such a subject as sociology’ (Rogers 1997, 247). According to Coleman, ‘Lazarsfeld had a difficult time understanding sociological theory’; he also ‘did not know [theory]’ (Coleman 1980, 171, 1990, 89).

3 The full quote reads:

Methodologists tell researchers about the proper procedures and techniques, but use most of their time telling each other about the latest inventions in statistics and econometrics (if they are quantitative methodologists) or in philosophy (if they are qualitative methodologists). Methodologists use research as examples for applications of techniques, but do not use research to discover things. (Sorensen 1991, 516)

4 Buchler (1961, 2).

5 Durkheim ([1895] 1964, 1).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Richard Swedberg

Richard Swedberg is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Cornell University. His work falls mainly in the areas of economic sociology and social theory, with an emphasis on theorizing. See e.g. The Political Economy of Alexis de Tocqueville (2009) and The Art of Social Theory (2014).