Quantifying Theory: Pierre Bourdieu

The proposed book will assemble a selection of essays that quantify the theories of Pierre Bourdieu. Our purpose is simply to provide a collection of academic pieces that demonstrate how quantitative methodological procedures are used to test the validity of existing social theory, focusing on the prominent sociologist, Pierre Bourdieu. We have chosen Bourdieu due to his international popularity in the sociology discipline, and the extensive range of his theoretical contributions.

Demonstrating the importance of quantifying, or testing, theory is frequently overlooked in university courses. Too often the sole focus is either an exploration social theory or a routine of performing quantitative methodological procedures. Students seldom receive exposure to practical applications that clearly illustrate the use of the latter to test the former. The unfortunate consequence is that students often fail to grasp the vital relationship between theory and methods, which is the basis of future sociological research.

The majority of single author sociological methods books exist in the form of undergraduate texts. Because sociologists are versed in the basics of quantitative and qualitative methodology, solo academics can reasonably author introductory texts that glean the necessary basics of both quantitative and qualitative methods. However, the same is not true of providing adequate intermediate and advanced level methodological instruction.

There is a considerable market for edited volumes of qualitative methodology. The practical benefit of such collections—both for instructors and students—is a selection of diverse topics in which researchers devote considerable attention to specific qualitative procedures. In short, an assortment of contributors can better provide intensive applications of different qualitative procedures that address unique research questions, and in a variety of settings. The end product typically incorporates a useful breadth of sociological topics, but with the requisite methodological depth (i.e. attention to procedure and depth of analysis) that is otherwise difficult for any single author to accomplish. To date, edited volumes of qualitative research are abundant, while similar quantitative compilations are rare.

This work addresses the work of Pierre Bourdieu, probably the most celebrated sociologist at the moment. The volume focuses on how researchers can take key elements of Bourdieu’s work and apply them to the analysis of quantitative data on a variety of topics.

Pierre Bourdieu’s contributions to the theory and practice of social research are far reaching. Possibly the most prominent sociologist in recent times, his work has touched on a myriad of topics and has influenced scholars in multiple disciplines. Throughout Bourdieu’s work, emphasis is placed on the linkage between the practice of social research and its relationship to social theory. This book honours Bourdieu’s commitment to the inextricable relationship between social theory and research in social science. In this volume, authors from all over the world utilize key concepts coined by Bourdieu, specifically his concept of capitals, habitus, and the field, and attempt to test them using quantitative survey data.

The focus of this volume is how researchers can take key elements of Bourdieu’s work and apply them to the analysis of quantitative data on a variety of topics. Throughout the volume, issues of the possible interpretations of concepts and measurement validity are focused upon in a language that can be appreciated by new and experienced researchers alike. This volume is useful for courses where the linkage between theory and research is emphasized, at both the upper undergraduate and general postgraduate level. In addition to serving as a teaching tool, the articles within the volume will be invaluable to any scholar interested in working with Bourdieu’s concepts in quantitative research.