New trends in sociological methodology

Abstract

This is not a conclusive text, but, on the contrary, an introduction to a program of methodological research. While it is not an attempt at the solution of the problems, it does bring them into focus on terms of an internal analysis of the procedures of sociological research and of the new trends in its methodological research. Two main lines of reflexion come out of such analysis. First, there has been a true reversal of perspective in sociological methodology, attention now centered on how to adapt technical tools to a certain theoretical basis. Second, such change comes out of the necessity to solve some of the technical problems of research, as methodological activity does not aim at the establishment of formal coherences, but is absorbed by the production of knowledge concerning social reality. Two very important consequences follow from this. In what concerns methodological research the field work is now open to the study of necessary connections (methodological, logical, mathematical) among the several different elements of procedure in sociological research. As for practical research, it becomes clear that sociological methodology will not achieve substantial progress while researchers themselves do not work at it.