Sociological Methodology 1997 is a valuable aid to the understanding and application of methodological in the social sciences. Its chapters include presentations of new techniques for gathering and analyzing data, as well as discussions giving perspectives on current research practices. All can be used to strengthen sociological and other types of social sciences reasoning. The journal is of interest to those involved in the study of statistics, psychometrics, econometrics, and political methodology, as well as to methodologists in sociology. Each annual volume is an important record of the current state of social science methodology and a crucial addition for social research libraries worldwide.