Crossroads of Social Science: The ICPSR 25th Anniversary Volume

Crossroads of Social Science brings together some of the most influential social scientists of the late twentieth century to ask a deceptively simple question: what kind of knowledge are we actually building, and how do we know when we’re making progress?Edited by political scientist Heinz Eulau, this volume gathers original essays and responses that examine how theory, method, and evidence intersect across sociology, political science, history, and related fields. Hubert M. Blalock, Jr. opens with “Toward Cumulative Knowledge,” arguing that social science too often becomes “rich in facts and poor in theories” and outlining what’s needed for findings to build on one another rather than pile up as disconnected results. Herbert Weisberg follows with a sharp look at research methodology, warning against “esoteric” techniques that outpace what most substantive scholars can realistically use, and pressing for methods that stay both advanced and understandable.A major strength of the book is its concrete treatment of disciplinary tensions. Allan G. Bogue’s “A Strange Case of Identity Denied” traces how American historians have wrestled with whether they are humanists, social scientists, or something in between, revisiting figures like Charles Beard and the rise of social science history. Philip E. Converse addresses what happens “When Social Science Findings Conflict,” introducing readers to meta-analysis and showing how large bodies of inconsistent studies—such as evaluations of treatment programs or the relationship between economics and voting—can be systematically compared rather than simply summarized.Norval D. Glenn’s chapter, “What We Know, What We Say We Know,” takes aim at the casual use of causal language in journal articles. He shows how often social scientists overstate what their data justify and calls for more honest, clearly signaled levels of confidence—without lapsing into meaningless qualifiers. Commentators such as Karl Taeuber and Susan Welch respond, sometimes critically, highlighting the practical pressures researchers face when their work informs public policy, textbooks, or media coverage.Throughout, Eulau’s introduction and concluding reflections tie these themes to the work of the Inter University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), underscoring how shared data archives, training, and cumulative reanalysis have reshaped what social inquiry can be.Ideal for advanced students, researchers, and methodologically minded practitioners, Crossroads of Social Science offers an unusually concrete, discipline spanning look at how social science is actually practiced—and what it will take to move from isolated studies toward more durable, reliable knowledge. Read more