Moksony, Ferenc
Small is Beautiful. The Use and Interpretation of R²
in Social Research

Few statistical measures are as highly respected by social researchers as is the coefficient of determination. In fact, its sheer magnitude is very often seen as the most important indicator of the quality of a study. In this paper, I challenge this view and argue that in research aimed at the test of a theory, R² whether big or small, is, in general, completely irrelevant. I maintain, moreover, that the common interpretation of R² as a measure of "explanatory power" is misleading, as is the belief that a high value of R² testifies that the "true" or "best" or "complete" model has been found. I also discuss the implications for research practice of the effect that the spread of the independent variable exerts on the coefficient of determination.
 

Vicsek, Lilla
Chances of Leadership - 1993
The Significance of Class Background and Gender in Becoming a Top Manager of an Enterprise

An important theoretical dispute was conducted between feminist sociologists, representing the relevance of gender inequalities, and researchers of the traditional stratification theory in the mid-80s. One of the main issues of the dispute was whether gender, or class background was more important as a dimension of the social structure. In my paper I wish to contribute to getting closer to answering to this question. During the course of my empirical analysis I am studying only a very small segment of the dispute: namely which dimension - the class dimension being measured by class origin - was more important from the angle of chances towards acquiring top management jobs in enterprises in Hungary in 1993.

In the first part of the writing I present some works from the rich literature on the topic, which are linked to my empirical research. Next I outline my research. I have tested my hypothesis by applying logistic regression on the samples of a case-control study, referring to the absolute and relative significance of gender and class background (compared to each other) in respect of chances of top management jobs in enterprises.
 

Vásárhelyi, Mária
Corruption in Public Thinking

Corruption is the gravest social and economic problem in the post-communist countries. In this study we analyse and compare the results of public opinion polls which were completed partly on a representative survey of the whole Hungarian population, and partly on a sample of leaders of public institutions. We tried to find answers to the following questions: What does corruption mean to the population? How often do they meet with it in their private lives and official practice? What do they think about the extent of corruption in Hungary if compared to other countries and other historical periods? What do they think about the root and reasons of corruption? What is their opinion about the transparency of public institutions and political parties? The study gives a comparison of the opinion of the general population and of the representative leaders of elite professions.
 

Pászka, Imre
Militant Sociology

D. Gusti, alongside F. Znaniecki, is undoubtedly one of the most significant sociologists between the two World Wars in East-Central Europe. Not only did he found a school, but constructed a sociological system, what he called monograhpical sociology, as well. In my introductory paper, I aimed to summarize his thoughts by deconstructing the definition of the nation. In the first part of the paper I outlined the motivation-goal elements, which make it understandable why Gusti undertook to construe such a system. The application of philosophy, or more precisely, neo-Kantian philosophy and Wundtian voluntarism gives the theoretical and methodological basis of his sociological outlook. At the same time, his system involves a number of historically specific sociological systems and concepts (Spencer, Durkheim, Tönnies, Simmel), which turn his monist system, i. e. one emphasizing the act of will as dominant, into an eclectic one. By laying too much stress upon the notion of act, he gets close to a teleological sociology with the scheme of which, W(ill)+F(rame)=M(anifestation), he constructs a closed system capable of grasping the diverse layers and dimensions of the structures of social existence in their functionality. Gusti attempted to understand reality and the field not only as typical, but as a comprehensive structure with its smallest components. His attempt to do so led to too many research projects with their respective theories. Pluridiscplinary approach may be justified if sociology tries to contribute to the reform and modernize society, that is to the solution of the social, economic, political, cultural and educational problems. Gusti tries to fulfil his goal by setting up a new science, the science of the nation, which is a combination of the social sciences (economics, politics, ethics, pedagogy and sociology). The grandiosity of his project and the non-selective epistemological and methodological approach meant that he was not able to reach solutions even after twenty-five years of field research. In spite of this, the methods of Gusti's sociology of the village are applied throughout the region.