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A Tale of Two Sociologies: Analyzing Versus Critique in UK Sociology

Author

Listed:
  • Malcolm Williams

    (Cardiff University, UK)

  • Luke Sloan

    (Cardiff University, UK)

  • Charlotte Brookfield

    (Cardiff University, UK)

Abstract

Several studies, in recent years, have demonstrated what has become known as the ‘quantitative deficit’ in UK sociology. This deficit is primarily manifested through negative student attitudes towards quantitative methods, a lack of ability in that area and a paucity of quantitative research and publication in the discipline that utilises quantitative methods. While we acknowledge the existence of that deficit, we argue in this article, and present some initial evidence in support of this argument, that the issue is not simply just about a ‘crisis of number’ but the kind of sociology taught and practised in the United Kingdom. We suggest here that there are two broad categories of sociology that do not necessarily divide along quantitative–qualitative lines, which we term ‘analytic’ and ‘critique’. Much of UK sociology takes a ‘critique’ approach, which may well be a quite legitimate way to do sociology, but is not a sufficient basis on which quantitative sociology can be done and has implications for the future of the discipline.

Suggested Citation

  • Malcolm Williams & Luke Sloan & Charlotte Brookfield, 2017. "A Tale of Two Sociologies: Analyzing Versus Critique in UK Sociology," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 22(4), pages 132-151, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:socres:v:22:y:2017:i:4:p:132-151
    DOI: 10.1177/1360780417734146
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kincaid,Harold, 1996. "Philosophical Foundations of the Social Sciences," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521558914.
    2. John Eldridge, 2011. "Half-Remembrance of Things Past: Critics and Cuts of Old," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 16(3), pages 149-153, August.
    3. John Scott, 2005. "Sociology and Its Others: Reflections on Disciplinary Specialisation and Fragmentation," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 10(1), pages 71-78, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kevin Ralston, 2020. "‘Sociologists Shouldn’t Have to Study Statistics’: Epistemology and Anxiety of Statistics in Sociology Students," Sociological Research Online, , vol. 25(2), pages 219-235, June.

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