I would like to suggest two “smell tests” for all sociologists, but especially those engaged with the public sphere, when assessing their work.
The first is the Garfinkel rule: Never treat your subjects as cultural dopes.
If you find yourself struggling to explain away your subjects’ own reasoned and widely held account of what they consider important in explaining their condition, you are up to something intellectually fishy.
The second is this: If you end up with findings that have policy implications that you would never dream of advocating for yourself or your loved ones, be wary of them.
A case in point: If you find that neighborhoods have no effects, you should be prepared to do the rational thing and go live in an inner-city neighborhood with its much cheaper real estate, or at least advise your struggling son or daughter searching for an apartment to save by renting there. If the thought offends you, then something stinks.
Utopia, you are standing in it! 
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