SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND THE "VARIABLE"

The aim of this paper is to examine critically the scheme of sociological analysis which seeks to reduce human group life to variables and their relations. The paper shall refer to this scheme, henceforth, as "variable analysis." This scheme is widespread and is growing in acceptance. It seems to be becoming the norm of proper sociological analysis. Its sophisticated forms are becoming the model of correct research procedure. Because of the influence which it is exercising in our discipline, it is desirable to note the more serious of its shortcomings in actual use and to consider certain limits to its effective application. The first part of the paper will deal with the current shortcomings and the second part with the more serious question of the limits to its adequacy. The study of human group life calls for a wide range of variables. However, there is a conspicuous absence of rules, guides, limitations and prohibitions to govern the choice of variables. Relevant rules are not provided even in the thoughtful regulations that accompany sophisticated schemes of variable analysis.