RMF2012 Abstracts

Session: Tuesday 3rd July PM (14.15 - 15.30)

Title: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY LECTURE: The vicissitudes of methods

Name: Andrew Abbott

Affiliation: University of Chicago

Abstract Details

In this paper I analyse the turnover of various methods in sociology over the last sixty years, attempting to consider both quantitative and qualitative methods. I discuss the regularity of methodological change, and consider various models for a long-term understanding of the steady change of methods: cumulation, replacement, fractal change, random change, and so on. The paper concludes with prescriptive arguments about methodological trajectories, both for individuals and for disciplines.

The level of the session is: Accessible

Presentation details

Presenter 1

Start time: 14:15

Presentation title: The vicissitudes of methods

Author: Professor Andrew Abbott

Affiliation: University of Chicago