Presenting the “Pipe Theory” for the Social Sciences: Delineating some Uses of the Pipe Theory for Various Fields of the Social Sciences

The objective of this paper is to introduce and propose what we may refer to as pipe theory. A pipe usually refers to an elongated and cylindrical object with equally sized apertures at both ends. This would differentiate it from a funnel where the beak is much larger than the lower opening or aperture. As a matter of fact, we propose that equal size openings at both ends would represent equal chances of an object entering or exiting a piper ceteris paribus, and all other things being equal, and this would constitute the foundation of pipe theory. There may or may not be internal processes involved, though the latter would vary depending on the circumstances. In some cases, there could be intake and discharge or leakage in the middle, and segmental analysis can also be performed. Intake and discharged may be guaranteed or uncertain; they could also increase or decrease either based or not based on a contingency; i.e. contingent on some other event occurring or happening. Both static and diachronic analysis can be performed, and comparative statics used as well. This analysis can also be combined with cause and effect analysis, and compositional analysis among others, for greater efficacy. We also present a large number of examples such as population analysis, order pipelines, intake and outtake analysis, and the like. This paper can eventually become a springboard for more complex downstream analysis, both qualitative and quantitative, and must be according its pride of place in twenty-first century science, particularly in the social sciences.