The Syntax of Social Life

The conflicting sociological methodologies of traditional qualitative analysis and the newer "positivist" approach are here reconciled in Professor Abell's incisive study. Through a formal explanation of "narratives," the author provides the technical framework for qualitative analysis which facilitates its combination with other methodological tools. His unique view of the interaction between competing methods and his precise account of the structure of "narratives" make this work a welcome contribution to model-building in social theory.