What makes sociology credible?

At the 3rd ISA Forum of Sociology held in Vienna in 2016, a session titled “Analytical and Rational-Choice-Oriented Sociology: Friends or Foes?” focused on the similarities and differences between analytical sociology and rational choice theory by featuring a vibrant intellectual exchange between Daniel Little, Karl-Dieter, Andreas Diekman & Petri Ylikoski.

The consolidation of analytical sociology has substantially grown since then, and the terms of the debate over the role that analytical sociology can play within contemporary sociology have clearly changed. Two recent collections of essays–The Handbook of Analytical Sociology and The Handbook of Sociological Science–were intended to foster further the development of a credible sociology and contributed to change the contours of the debate about analytical sociology’s distinctiveness.

This session aims to continue the reflection initiated in Vienna seven years ago. In particular, it welcomes empirical and/or theoretical papers inspired by research programs covered by the two abovementioned Handbooks, and specifically reflecting on what we need to increase the transparency, the reproducibility, and ultimately the credibility of sociology.