Progress in the social sciences entails developing and improving theoretical understanding of social phenomena and improving methods for collecting and analyzing data. Theories organize what we know or expect to learn about phenomena and methods provide the evidential basis for the theories. While we have witnessed great strides in the development of statistical methods, there is less information for developing theories. In Developing Theories in the Social Sciences, Jane Sell and Murray Webster Jr. describe an approach for logical, consistent, and useful explanatory theories for social scientists. They emphasize properly defining concepts to embed in theoretical propositions, while providing guidelines for avoiding missteps that can occur, including imprecise definitions, incomplete assumptions, and missing scope conditions. Offering examples from different disciplines, the authors propose a structured method vital for building and refining theories about social phenomena.

‘Drawing on a long and influential record of bringing social science fields into conversation with one another, Sell and Webster offer their latest and most synthetic contribution in Developing Theories in the Social Sciences. Building on earlier work that helped integrate experimental research across disciplines, this book steps back to address the foundations of theory itself: how concepts are formed, how explanations are structured, and how theories connect to empirical evidence. Clear, rigorous, and deeply informed by decades of cross-disciplinary scholarship, this volume will be an essential resource for scholars who want to move beyond isolated findings toward a cumulative and unified social science.’

Catherine Eckel - Sara and John Lindsey Professor, Texas A&M University

‘Sell and Webster deliver a masterclass on how to understand the social world, getting beyond ‘common sense’ to find empirically testable principles and patterns. They present a convincing case for social theory and clear instruction for theory development. This book is at once timely and timeless, and of great value to anyone who cares about the production of knowledge.’

Jenny L. Davis - Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Chair and Professor of Sociology, Vanderbilt University

‘Theory is critical for the social sciences. However, theory development is usually a struggle for budding social scientists. Sell and Webster offer a succinct, approachable, and compelling account of developing theory and its centrality for the social sciences. I highly recommend it for anyone teaching methodology.’

Rick K. Wilson - Herbert S. Autrey Emeritus Professor of Political Science, Rice University