Experimental Sociology
Outline of a Scientific Field

Gives a comprehensive overview of the state of the art, different designs, and methodological controversies in experimental sociology.

Davide Barrera (Author), Klarita Gërxhani (Author), Bernhard Kittel (Author), Luis Miller (Author), Tobias Wolbring (Author)

9781009096515, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 21 November 2024

210 pages
22.8 x 15.1 x 1.1 cm, 0.3 kg

'As enthusiastic practitioners and unabashed cheerleaders for the growth of experimental design in contemporary social science research, the authors of this volume shepherd readers through the history of this methodological approach and its implementation - specifically in sociology - beginning in the 1930s.… The result is a well-reasoned, earnest invitation to graduate students, junior faculty, mid-career professors, and research practitioners to join the party and consider adding this device to their methodological 'tool belts,' alongside such proven research methods as surveys, interviews, and participant observation.… Recommended.' J. R. Mitrano, CHOICE

Experiments have gained prominence in sociology in recent years. Increased interest in testing causal theories through experimental designs has ignited a debate about which experimental designs can facilitate scientific progress in sociology. This book discusses the implications of research interests for the design of experiments, identifies points of commonality and disagreement among the different perspectives within sociology, and elaborates on the rationales of each. It helps experimental sociologists find appropriate designs for answering specific research questions while alerting them to the challenges. Offering more than just a guide, this book explores both the historical roots of experimental sociology and the cutting-edge techniques of rigorous sociology. It concludes with a tantalizing peek into the future and provides a roadmap to the exciting prospects and uncharted territories of experimental sociology.

1. Introduction
Part I. The Philosophy and Methodology of Experimentation in Sociology: 2. The development of experimental sociology
3. What makes sociological experiments different from other experiments?
4. Experiments and causality
5. Experimental designs and typologies
Part II. The Practice of Experimentation in Sociology: 6. Laboratory experiments
7. Field experiments
8. Vignette experiments
9. Natural experiments and quasi-experiments
Part III. Methodological Challenges of Experimentation in Sociology: 10. Validity
11. Incentives
12. Ethics and deception
13. Experimental sociology – quo vadis?

Subject Areas: Social research & statistics [JHBC]