A History of Sociological Research Methods in America, 1920–1960

This is the first book on the general history of US sociological research. It provides systematic archival, documentary, and interview data which question conventional views on research methods, developing our understanding of both the history of social thought, and the settings in which social research is produced.

• First book on the general history of US sociological research methods • Questions many conventional interpretations • Contains systematic archival, documentary, and interview data on topics discussed without research

1. Introduction; 2. Writing on method; 3. Scientism; 4. Theory and practice; 5. Funding and research methods; 6. Social structures of academic life; 7. Reputation, exemplars and origin myths; 8. Conclusion; Appendix.

‘… this study bears the closest examination for several reasons. First, it is a model of careful construction and meticulous research. Second, it makes us reconsider our perceptions of a period of sociology when America dominated the world. And third, and most important, is that it forces us to think critically about the discipline.’ Frank Webster, The Times Higher Education Supplement

‘This is an outstanding contribution to our understanding of what really went on in US universities at a key point in the development of sociology and an almighty sideswipe at a great deal of the discipline’s subordination to theorists from within and from without the subject. Sociologists should not just order this book for the library and leave it to gather dust. Buy it, study it and reflect on the state of their subject.’ Frank Webster, The Times Higher Education Supplement

‘Even if for no other reason this book should be studied for its appreciation of the diversity of sociological work that once was undertaken in the United States and for making us realise that there may be a gap between what gets said in textbooks on method and what happens on the ground in empirical research.’ Frank Webster, The Times Higher Education Supplement

‘This study is without doubt an important contribution to our understanding of an area of sociology colonized in ways that can serve as much to obscure, as to enlighten, our understanding of its development …’. History of the Human Sciences

‘The bibliography of this book will in itself provide an excellent resource for sociological historians, methodologists and practitioners alike … in the ultimate analysis, the key finding of this important book lies in the evidence it provides of the continuing need for intellectual justification of changing practices, and of the significance of critical analysis for methodological advance in a discipline, which … is shown to be cumulative in the best sense of the word.’ Reviewing Sociology

‘ … this book is not only a study of the history of sociological research methods in America, but it is an excellent piece of sociological research itself.’ Shulamit Reinharz, Journal for the History of the Behavioral Sciences ‘This is an outstanding contribution to our understanding of what really went on in US universities at a key point in the development of sociology and an almighty sideswipe at a great deal of the discipline’s subordination to theorists from within and without the subject. Sociologists should not just order this book for the library and leave it to gather dust. Buy it, study it and reflect on the state of their subject.’ Frank Webster, Times Higher Education Supplement

‘ … this book is not only a study of the history of sociological research methods in America, but it is an excellent piece of sociological research itself.’ Shulamit Reinharz, Journal for the History of the Behavioral Sciences ‘This is an outstanding contribution to our understanding of what really went on in US universities at a key point in the development of sociology and an almighty sideswipe at a great deal of the discipline’s subordination to theorists from within and without the subject. Sociologists should not just order this book for the library and leave it to gather dust. Buy it, study it and reflect on the state of their subject.’ Frank Webster, Times Higher Education Supplement