Multifactorial survey experiments such as stated choice experiments are used more and more frequently in social science research. In this article, based on an experimental study on ethical and political consumption, we explore the potential of hybrid choice models to explicitly model latent psychological factors such as attitudes, overcoming a…

Measuring values in sociological research sometimes involves the use of ranking data. A disadvantage of a ranking assignment is that the order in which the items are presented might influence the choice preferences of respondents regardless of the content being measured. The standard procedure to rule out such effects is to randomize the order of…

Noise is widely regarded as a residual category--the unexplained variance in a linear model or the random disturbance of a predictable pattern. Accordingly, formal models often impose the simplifying assumption that the world is noise-free and social dynamics are deterministic. Where noise is assigned causal importance, it is often assumed to be a…

Often in sociology, researchers are confronted with nonnormal variables whose joint distribution they wish to explore. Yet, assumptions of common measures of dependence can fail or estimating such dependence is computationally intensive. This article presents the copula method for modeling the joint distribution of two random variables, including…

As a result of the emphasis given to the "black perspective" since the late 1960s, there has been a proliferation of research and writing on the black experience by black social scientists. However, a coherent and integrated body of knowledge on the nature of the black experience has yet to be established. There has been no attempt to develop a…

The special education profession has witnessed a recent struggle between researchers who defend a positivistic approach to knowledge and practice and "postmodern" special educators who challenge that approach. In this analysis I utilize a sociological theory of heresy to examine the conflict between postmodern heresy and positivist orthodoxy. I…

The purpose of this presentation is to describe the current methodological emphases in Sociology and to speculate on emerging patterns that will form the nature of Sociology in the future. This is done systematically through an analytical framework outlined in Diagram 1. In addition, he examines the problems and potentials for interdisciplinary…

Demonstrates the value of dynamic analysis of event-history data for the sociological study of change in categorical variables. An event history records dates of events that occur for some unit of analysis (i.e., an individual's marital or employment status, or outbreaks of riots or wars). (Author/AV)

Considers multicollinearity in nonrecursive models, misspecification of models, discrepancies between attitudes and behavior, and differences between static and dynamic models as explanations for contradictory information on the causal relationship between fertility and female employment. Finds that initially fertility affects employment but that,…

This article explores the controversy over research and communication frameworks devised by the Research Committee on Innovative Processes in Social Change of the International Sociological Association. Concludes that current and future controversies can contribute to a fruitful discussion among social scientists of innovative processes in social…

Considers how the changed ecological conditions confronting human societies challenge sociology. Concludes that sociology stands in need of a fundamental alteration in its disciplinary paradigm. Suggests a 'New Ecological Paradigm' which may better serve the field of sociology in light of the current recognition of ecological realities. (Author/DB)

To determine how sex role attitudes are formed, and to explain the nature of these attitudes, the article reviews research on sex role attitudes. Topics discussed include hypotheses and findings of major research studies, creation of an attitude model based upon previous research, and the growth of ideological egalitarianism. (DB)

Explores the need to teach undergraduate sociology majors about statistical methods. Identifies student based obstacles to the learning of statistics. Offers an instructional model that includes (1) warm up sessions; (2) organizational models; (3) application exercises; (4) pattern recognition; and (5) sociological meaning. Recommends the model as…

This final report describes a research project in sociology of education. The general objective of the project was to develop a framework for analyzing and conceptualizing multi-level social processes that will allow researchers to examine and represent school and classroom socialization structures and their effects. The framework is based on a…

Argues that the "ontogenetic" model of adult development theory is inappropriate because it treats as "natural" a subject that is social in character. Offers instead some essential elements of a "sociogenic" paradigm drawn from the accumulated body of sociological research and theory. (CMG)