Description
Book SynopsisIn the social sciences today, students are taught theory by reading and analyzing the works of Karl Marx, Max Weber, and other foundational figures of the discipline. What they rarely learn, however, is how to actually theorize. This is a practical guide to doing just that, written by a well-known sociologist.
Trade Review"[C]oncise and readable... Writing in accessible language and using the canon of social theorists to illustrate points, Swedberg meets a need for practitioners and students alike."--Choice
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Why Theorize and Can You Learn to Do It? 1 Part 1: How to Theorize Chapter 1. Starting Anew 13 Chapter 2. Social Observation 29 Chapter 3. Naming, Concept, and Typology 52 Chapter 4. Analogy, Metaphor, and Pattern 80 Chapter 5. Coming Up with an Explanation 98 Part 2: Preparing for Theorizing Chapter 6. Heuristics 127 Chapter 7. Practical Exercises 146 Chapter 8. The Role of Theory 169 Chapter 9. Imagination and Art 188 Chapter 10. Summary and More 210 Appendix: How to Theorize according to Charles S. Peirce 230 Acknowledgments 249 Notes 251 References 253 Index 279
