Theoretical foundations of analytical sociology: Towards the integration of theory and empirical research in sociology

Abstract

In this note, we examine theoretical foundations of analytical sociology based on the argument of Peter Hedström. Analytical sociology criticizes empirical research that emphasizes associations of variables by survey data to identify the causal relationship. In contrast to this variable-oriented approach, analytical sociology explains the process through which social consequences bring about (the variable-oriented approach fails to explore this process and leaves it as a black box) by individual actions and interactions. This note argues that analytical sociology focuses on the role of actions, interactions, and concatenations of interactions based on a framework of desire, belief, and opportunity. After introducing basic concepts of analytical sociology, this note then compares it to two disciplines (statistical causal inference and rational choice theory) that share the same research interests but pursue their goals in different ways. In conclusion, this note discusses the analytic strategy of this discipline to propose an alternative approach to survey data.