Citation

Cobb JC. Am. J. Sociol. 1929; 35(1): 80-92.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1929, University of Chicago Press)

DOI

10.1086/214919

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Dialectics relates to the process of reasoning from probabilities and observed indications. The scientific method reasons from meticulously stated data presented so that another mind can analyze and evaluate the accuracy, force, and effect of each datum. The dialectic method precedes the scientific. The dialectic method precedes the scientific. The dialectic method is necessary in the treatment of problems that must be acted upon but which have not been conclusively analyzed by scientific methods. This method does not add to the fund of human knowledge. An example of the dialectic method is the report on "Parole and the Indeterminate Sentence" made in Illinois. The scientific analysis of social science phenomena includes four methods: statistical, case study, observation, and experimentation. There are no "statistical data": a datum is a fact or assumption; statistics, classification and presentation. A case study may be classed as experiment which, if properly controlled, would produce dependable results. It is necessary that the cases should be clearly stated and the technique of study standardized. Experiment is actually going on when laws are enacted, police regulations made, or changes in institutions attempted. The Illinois parole report is dealing with an experiment and suggests other experimental changes. History is the great experimental laboratory of social science. Experiments are there if we could see them. The most interesting and difficult problem confronting social science is the quantitative statement of psychological data. Important work is going on in the Harvard Medical School, the community studies in Chicago, and under Adler in Chicago and Healy in Boston. The scientific approach to the problems of social science aims to make of it a clearly-defined, effective, vital science. It is seeking for knowledge of problems rather than solutions.