Abstract

This chapter looks at the forms of experimental reasoning in sociology. While sociology is often described as a non-experimental discipline, a literature survey shows that all forms of experimentation are practiced: indirect experimentation, quasi-experimentation, controlled experimentation, laboratory experimentation. This review also highlights a frequent misconception of experimental science, which is supposed to produce definitive results, when in fact it is a constant process of revision, in which each experimentation calls for new research to answer the questions left unanswered. Finally, this perspective informs the question of the unity of the sciences: it appears that the obstacles standing in the way of experimental sociology are no different in nature from those faced by other disciplines.