University of Paris I

A retrospective glance at 50 years of empirical studies in French sociology

Abstract

Sociological studies of the contemporary world have known major developments over the past fifty years in terms of approaches, scope of fields covered, etc. The distinction between two periods springs from a redefinition – mainly between 1979 and 1983 – of the actors contributing to the definition of the issues and fields under scrutiny. The major elements are fewer studies at national level, the growing specialisation of academics who draw on statistics, further use of the ethnographic method, the inclusion of gender and ethnicity in studies, etc. The gradual intensification of international exchanges within social science disciplines and the emergence of new policy issues also contributed to these developments. The specific analysis of education studies shows similar developments. Their particular time indicates that developments in this field sometimes preceded those of all empirical research.