The Problem of Representation: Realism and Operationalism in Survey Research

This paper is concerned with the question of representation in survey research, specifically in respect of the operationalisation of variables. In sociology, empiricist explanations of the social world are largely discredited and some form of realism is now commonly favoured by researchers. Here I will argue that whilst realism has made theoretical progress in sociology, in survey research there has been an unfortunate accommodation between empiricist operationalism and a naive methodological realism. I will argue that operationalism is not a viable strategy and instead will put the case for a realist approach to definition and measurement in survey research.