Date:         Tue, 24 Jun 97 20:07:53 EDT
From: Alan Davidson <DAVIDSON@UCONNVM.UCONN.EDU>
Subject:      Complete denial thread
To: socgrad@CSF.COLORADO.EDU
Message-Id:   <970624.201637.EDT.DAVIDSON@UConnVM.UConn.Edu>
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Being one of the folks who originally brought up the issue of differential
tracking, I didn't intend to imply that it was actually a system-wide
phenomenon which would explain on any sort of generalization an iron law
of how sociology departments actually operate.  I also don't deny the
possibility of self-selection -- atheists don't tend to study religion, and
folks who are uncomfortable with issues of gay rights aren't going to
study gay and lesbian issues.  What I did intend to say was one cannot
discount that the differential tracking of BOTH men and women into
particular areas of study (whether conscious or not on the part of faculty
and students) does have an effect on specialty-selection and eventual
job placement and career advancement.  That this might not be confirmed at a
..05 significance level doesn't wish it out of existence.