Sociologies (Jan 2012)
Les règles de la production sociologique
Abstract
Sociology is nowadays suffering a lack of legitimacy and a declining trend in its reputation. This article refines this diagnostic and explores corrective suggestions while considering Sociology as a job, a research, a study, and an investigation activity, which means first and foremost that it’s a collective activity included in a world of specialists. It is through the analysis of the properties of this environment that the particularity of sociology is characterized. Emphasis is placed on the lack of collective rules, the weaknesses of the shared landmarks and the ongoing uncertainty about the definition of sociological work. At the same time, several indicators shows an institutionalization of the discipline, bearing more regulation: structuration of research groups, lesser dependency regarding big names, improving training, distribution of responsibilities, development of institutions based on collegiality, etc. These transformations in the professional world of sociologists, however, are part of a larger context where external regulations become more present because of a generalization of competition and bibliometric evaluation in particular. These findings fuel an interrogation of collective capacities to reinforce socialization and defective regulation which then becomes essential to overcoming the crisis of the discipline.
