The quantitative crisis in UK sociology

Abstract

This chapter describes the ‘crisis’ in UK quantitative methods, primarily that as exemplified by sociology, and the response to it over the last two decades, from research identifying the problem in the early 2000s, to the current Q-Step initiative, which aims for a ‘step change’ in quantitative methods teaching. This we describe as a ‘revolution’ and the purpose of this chapter is to assess the likely success of this ‘revolution’. We provide an overview of the projects which aimed to describe, explain and address the crisis. We then briefly sketch out a methodological history of UK sociology, from which we conclude that UK sociology has been predominantly qualitative and humanistic for much of its existence and this, we argue, is a barrier to the success of the current initiatives. Although Q-Step will have increased the number of UK trained quantitative social scientists, who in turn may shape the culture of their departments, grafting number onto existing structures and a prevailing culture of humanism may only have a superficial, or even ephemeral effect.