The question is asked whether the concept of situation can be meaningfully employed as a unit of observation in sociological investigations. Although the term is in fact used in some of the existing literature, no definition has so far been provided that could be put to use in empirical research; also, the problem of classification has been neglected. Suggestions are advanced as to how either of these gaps might be filled. Based on a proposed definition, some examples from actual research are presented to illustrate in what ways the structural characteristic „situation“ can be used in sociological inquiry.