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The Methodology of Herbert Blumer is a comprehensive critical account of the contributions of this important American sociologist to the methodology of social research. In a close reading of Blumer's texts, the author charts the development of Blumer's thinking, revealing a tension between an essentially realist ontology and Blumer's emphasis on the relationship of theory to methodology. The author describes Blumer's conception of methodology as a self-reflective exercise in which the principles of scientific inquiry are developed and criticized, and not merely as a matter of technique. Blumer's concentration on the integral unity of theory and method relates suggestively to current thinking about methodology, while his examinations of this theme in such areas as public opinion research and variable analysis provide provocative criticisms of many current research practices.
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The Arnold and Caroline Rose Monograph Series of the American Sociological Association
The methodology of Herbert Blumer
See page 107 for other books in the ASA Rose Monograph Series.
The methodology of Herbert Blumer Critical interpretation and repair
Kenneth Baugh, Jr
The right of the University of Cambridge to print and sell all manner of books was granted by Henry Vlll in 1534. The University has printed and published continuously since 1584.
Cambridge University Press Cambridge New York Port Chester Melbourne Sydney
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, Sao Paulo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 2RU, UK Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521382465 © Cambridge University Press 1990 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 1990 This digitally printed first paperback version 2006 A catalogue record for this publication is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication data Baugh, Kenneth The Methodology of Herbert Blumer: critical interpretation and repair / Kenneth Baugh, Jr. p. cm. - (The Arnold and Caroline Rose monograph series of the American Sociological Association) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-521-38246-7 1. Blumer, Herbert, 1900-1987. 2. Sociology - United States. 3. Sociology - Methodology. I. Title. II. Series. HM22.U68563 1990 301'.072'073 - dc20 89-38447 CIP ISBN-13 978-0-521-38246-5 hardback ISBN-10 0-521-38246-7 hardback ISBN-13 978-0-521-03035-9 paperback ISBN-10 0-521-03035-8 paperback
Contents
Acknowledgments Preface 1 2 3 4
What is methodology? Blumer's development Critical extensions Methodical holism: Issues and applications
Bibliography Index
page vii ix 1 5 45 64 101 105
Acknowledgments
Without invoking an entire history, I must mention some specific debts that this work has incurred. From Florida State University's Department of Philosophy I want to thank Professor David Gruender for his diligence and effectiveness as a critic of an early draft of my argument. 1 want also to thank the reviewers of the Rose series for their suggestions and objections. In responding to these, or deciding not to, I have reached the present version of this study. K. B.
Vll
Preface: The standpoint of reading
This study is an interpretation of Herbert Blumer's methodology. As such, it is formed and informed by two distinct sources: a topic, Blumer's methodology, and an approach to that topic, interpretation. Whatever the topic may be in and of