The Use of Official Statistics in Sociology: A Critique of Positivism and Ethnomethodology (Studies in Sociology)

This series, prepared under the auspices of the British Sociological Association, is designed to provide short but comprehensive and scholarly treatments of key problem-areas in sociology. The books do not offer summary accounts of the current state of research in various fields, but seek rather to analyse matters which are the subject of controversy or debate. The series is designed to cover a broad range of topics, falling into three categories: (I) abstract problems of social theory and social philosophy; (2) interpretative questions posed by the writings ofleading social theorists; (3) issues in empirical sociology. In addition, the series will carry translations of important writings in sociology which have not previously been CONTENTS Study of the use of official statistical services in sociology, with special reference to census materials. Examines the effects of bureaucracy on official statistical analysis and the critics directed against the use of such data in the social sciences, shows that the arguments against social statistics are based on a false methodology, and indicates the terms in which the rational assessment of economic indicators and social indicators may be undertaken Front Matter....Pages 1-7 Introduction....Pages 9-13 Some Arguments Concerning the Production and Use of Official Statistics....Pages 14-27 The Rational Evaluation of Official Statistics....Pages 28-42 Conclusion....Pages 43-50 Back Matter....Pages 51-63