Seale, C (Seale, Clive) Mapping the field of medical sociology: a comparative analysis of journals SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS, 30 (5): 677-695 JUL 2008

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Address: clive.seale at brunel.ac.uk 

PostAuthor(s): Seale, C (Seale, Clive) 

Title: Mapping the field of medical sociology: a comparative analysis of 
journals 

Source: SOCIOLOGY OF HEALTH & ILLNESS, 30 (5): 677-695 JUL 2008 

Language: English 

Document Type: Article 

Author Keywords: medical sociology; content analysis; sociology of health 
and illness; public sociology; comparative keyword analysis
 
Keywords Plus: CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS; HEALTH-AND-ILLNESS; SOCIAL 
CONSTRUCTIONISM; EXPERIENCE; INTERNET; GENDER 

Abstract: A comparative keyword analysis of the content of nine leading 
journals is used to suggest potential new directions for medical 
sociology. The major British and American journals in sociology and 
medical sociology tend to publish authors based in their own countries, 
contrasting with the internationalism of other social science disciplines 
relevant to health, although Sociology of Health and Illness is an 
exception to this. Medical sociology journals on both sides of the 
Atlantic focus on individual experience more than general sociology 
journals, which focus more on social systems levels of analysis. While 
journal contents reveal British medical sociology to be relatively 
atheoretical when compared with British general sociology journals, 
American medical sociology appears relatively apolitical on the same 
comparison with American general journals. American journals of sociology 
publish more quantitative studies than their British equivalents, more 
studies concerning race and other social divisions in American society, 
and less work drawing on social constructionist perspectives or that is 
engaged with social theory. Analysis of health and health care at societal 
and global levels and a deeper engagement with the political and public 
issues that concern non-sociologists represents a possible future for a 
medical sociology that is internationally relevant and outward looking. 

Addresses: Brunel Univ, Sch Social Sci, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, Middx, England 

Reprint Address: Seale, C, Brunel Univ, Sch Social Sci, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, 
Middx, England.
 
E-mail Address: clive.seale at brunel.ac.uk 

Cited Reference Count: 36 

Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 

Publisher Address: 9600 GARSINGTON RD, OXFORD OX4 2DQ, OXON, ENGLAND 

ISSN: 0141-9889 

DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9566.2008.01090.x 

29-char Source Abbrev.: SOCIOL HEALTH ILL 

ISO Source Abbrev.: Sociol. Health Ill. 

Source Item Page Count: 19 

Subject Category: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Social 
Sciences, Biomedical; Sociology 

ISI Document Delivery No.: 326QZ 

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