On the Theory Contiguous to the world. Qualitative studies in search of the continuity between the life practice and the sociological theory

Abstract

The paper defends the thesis that qualitative studies significantly contribute to the development and increase of the adequacy of the sociological theory. Questioning the assumption of the embedded, a-theoretical character of qualitative studies, I refer to the tradition of symbolic interactionism, social phenomenology and discourse theory in order to demonstrate that – contrary to this assumption – such studies constitute a response to the critical deconstruction of the sociological, objectivist theory. This is a constructive response which allows us to identify the reality and fit it in the analytical schemata in the process of its coming into being. Thanks to the emphasis on the narrativity, on the lack of transparence of an individual and on the precision of the report, qualitative studies provide us with reliable material which closely reflects the world it examines.