printThe Sentence Completion Method:
Prospects for Developing in Sociological Measurements
Tatarova G.G.
Dr. Sci. (Sociol.), Prof., Chief Researcher, Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia tatarova-gg@rambler.ru
Burlov A.V.
Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Independent Researcher, Moscow, Russia anton_bourlov@rambler.ru
Tatarova G.G., Burlov A.V. The Sentence Completion Method: Prospects for Developing in Sociological Measurements. Sotsiologicheskie issledovaniya [Sociological Studies]. 2026. No 10. P. 95-110
The article is dedicated to the problems of the sentence completion method applying in sociological measurements. It addresses the problems which solution aim to the method adequacy improvement and to the method as a sociologist’s tool developing. The generalizations and analytical conclusions proposed in the article are based on the analysis of existing experience in the method usage. Particular attention is paid to the method’s “methodical traps”—dangers associated with a lack of due attention to the sociological specifics of its usage which are not always recognized by researchers in their practices. These traps might be avoided primarily by correct usage of conceptual apparatus; selection of an adequate to the research situation strategy of the method applying; and creating of a high-quality basis of a sentence (a beginning of a sentence, a stimulus). The article proposes a “thesaurus of the method”; it substantiates the introduction of six strategies of using the method in sociological measurements based on existing research practices; methodical solutions which allow to improve quality of sentences’ basis are analyzed.
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