Why Sociological Computing Gets No Respect

Abstract

Sociology has not paid much attention to scholars working on new computer-related applications. A central reason is that sociologists doing computer applications have been content to work in peripheral areas and have not focused on applying new computer technology to central problems of the discipline. Particularly little attention has been paid to the development of "killer apps," compelling applications of computer technology that open new areas for empirical and theoretical work, and are so valuable that they overcome the sunk costs that tie researchers to conventional methods. This paper discusses the role of computing in sociology and proposes ways in which computing can become more central. Keywords: sociology, theory, methodology, reward system, killer apps, simulation, Boolean analysis, review articles.