A análise geométrica de questionários : a lição de La Distinction de Bourdieu

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of Correspondence Analysis (CA) in Bourdieu's La Distinction (1976/79), having in mind the sociologists who wish to analyze their data in a way in harmony with that of Bourdieu. For Bourdieu, CA is not simply a handy tool among others for visualizing data, but a unique instrument apt to uncover the two related spaces of individuals and of properties. A careful reading of La Distinction reveals a thoughtful and creative use of CA, applied to Individuals x Properties tables, with its main aids to interpretation. The major conclusions from this ``lesson'' remain valid today and generally apply to Individuals x Properties tables whether analyzed by CA or more specifically by Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). In the analysis of questionnaires, doing correspondence analyses is not enough to do ``analyses à la Bourdieu''. The fundamental space must be constructed from a set of relevant variables ample enough to allow the full multidimensional display of individuals.