Social Structural Inquiries – Part 2: Statistical Methods and Process Models

A tightened linkage between theory and data would enhance cumulative sociological knowledge. Toward that end this article selectivity reviews and develops social structural theories – theories that explain data. It focuses on statistical methods and process models because both approaches advance cumulative social science, and the tension between their advocates works against disciplinary solidarity. Boudon’s structural schematics cover all of the examples, suggesting a common perspective that can lessen the friction among practitioners of these forms of quantitative analysis and refocus much of the diversity of current sociology. An erratum to this article is available at .