This work presents a broadranging and critical overview of the many themes of social constructionism and its relevance to contemporary social and political issues. The work links the discourse of constructionism to the wider social and political world, and demonstrates that social science is enriched, not impoverished, by postmodernism. Leading contributors from across the social sciences explore questions and topics including: the theory and practice of scientific method; the development of social and political theory; the use of social science statistical methods; self-identity and the politics of collective identities; and technological advances in reproductive medicine.