Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences

Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences PDF Author: Alexander L. George
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262262894
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 354

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Book Description
The use of case studies to build and test theories in political science and the other social sciences has increased in recent years. Many scholars have argued that the social sciences rely too heavily on quantitative research and formal models and have attempted to develop and refine rigorous methods for using case studies. This text presents a comprehensive analysis of research methods using case studies and examines the place of case studies in social science methodology. It argues that case studies, statistical methods, and formal models are complementary rather than competitive. The book explains how to design case study research that will produce results useful to policymakers and emphasizes the importance of developing policy-relevant theories. It offers three major contributions to case study methodology: an emphasis on the importance of within-case analysis, a detailed discussion of process tracing, and development of the concept of typological theories. Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences will be particularly useful to graduate students and scholars in social science methodology and the philosophy of science, as well as to those designing new research projects, and will contribute greatly to the broader debate about scientific methods.

Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences

Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences PDF Author: Alexander L. George
Publisher: MIT Press
ISBN: 0262262894
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 354

Get Book Here

Book Description
The use of case studies to build and test theories in political science and the other social sciences has increased in recent years. Many scholars have argued that the social sciences rely too heavily on quantitative research and formal models and have attempted to develop and refine rigorous methods for using case studies. This text presents a comprehensive analysis of research methods using case studies and examines the place of case studies in social science methodology. It argues that case studies, statistical methods, and formal models are complementary rather than competitive. The book explains how to design case study research that will produce results useful to policymakers and emphasizes the importance of developing policy-relevant theories. It offers three major contributions to case study methodology: an emphasis on the importance of within-case analysis, a detailed discussion of process tracing, and development of the concept of typological theories. Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences will be particularly useful to graduate students and scholars in social science methodology and the philosophy of science, as well as to those designing new research projects, and will contribute greatly to the broader debate about scientific methods.

The Development of Sociological Theory

The Development of Sociological Theory PDF Author: A. Javier Trevino
Publisher: SAGE Publications, Incorporated
ISBN: 9781506304069
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
The Development of Sociological Theory: Readings from the Enlightenment to the Present brings together excerpts from 96 original works by important theorists from the roots of sociological thought through the contemporary and post-modern periods. Noted theory scholar A. Javier Treviño has created an anthology with breadth and variety, while staying mainly within theoretical schools and traditions that are sociological. The selections have been selected and edited for classroom use and are presented according to two orderings—as a rough chronology that illustrates the historical development of theoretical knowledge in sociology and as a typology of systems of sociological theorizing for more methodical consideration.

New Trends in Development Theory

New Trends in Development Theory PDF Author: Peter Preston
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136855874
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 219

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Book Description
The theme of this work, first published in 1985, is the exchange between issues of development and problems of social theory. They provide preliminary analysis of the multiplicity of social-theoretic arguments in development theory and their implications for social theory in general. The book will be of interest to all those interested in the contemporary ‘restructuring’ of social theory and to theorists of development who are rethinking their concerns in a period of pessimism and doubt.

Introducing Social Theory

Introducing Social Theory PDF Author: Pip Jones
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1509505083
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
This revised edition of this extremely popular introduction to social theory has been carefully and thoroughly updated with the latest developments in this continually changing field. Written in a refreshingly lucid and engaging style, Introducing Social Theory provides readers with a wide-ranging, well organized and thematic introduction to all the major thinkers, issues and debates in classical and contemporary social theory. Introducing Social Theory traces the development of social theorizing from the classical ideas about modernity of Durkheim, Marx and Weber, right up to a uniquely accessible review of the contemporary theoretical controversies in sociology that surround post-colonialism, gender and feminist theories, and public sociology. The ideal textbook for students of sociology at all levels, from A-level to undergraduates, Introducing Social Theory is remarkably easy to follow and understand. This new edition lives up to its predecessors' goal that students need never be intimidated by social theory again.

The Development of a Theory of Social Structure and Personality

The Development of a Theory of Social Structure and Personality PDF Author: Melvin L. Kohn
Publisher: Union Bridge Books
ISBN: 1785270672
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 136

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Book Description
In The Development of a Theory of Social Structure and Personality Melvin Kohn, a pioneer in the cross-national, comparative and collaborative study of social structure and personality examines his sociological research spanning a six-decade career to articulate a theory of social structure and personality.

Sociological Theory in the Digital Age

Sociological Theory in the Digital Age PDF Author: Gabe Ignatow
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000038297
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 186

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Book Description
What is the role of sociological theory in the information age? What kinds of theories are best suited to analyzing the social uses of digital technologies, and for using digital technologies in new ways to study the social? This book contributes to several ongoing conversations on how the social sciences can best adapt to contemporary information technologies and information societies. Focusing on practical or ‘usable theory,’ it surveys the challenges and opportunities of conducting social science in the information age, as well as the theoretical solutions that sociologists have developed and applied over the last two decades. With specific attention to three theoretical approaches in digital social research—critical theory, forensic theory and Bourdieusian theory—the author provides an overview of the history and main tenets of each, surveys its use in sociological research, and evaluates its successes and limitations. Taking a long-term view of theoretical development in evaluating schools of thought and considering their productivity in analyzing and using contemporary digital communication technologies, this book thus treats theory as a tool for empirical research and the development of theory as inseparable from research practice. As such, it will appeal to scholars of sociology and social theory with interests in research methods, the development of theory and digital technologies.

Social Theory and the Urban Question

Social Theory and the Urban Question PDF Author: Peter Saunders
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134875118
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 301

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Book Description
First published in 1986. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Social Theory

Social Theory PDF Author: John Scott
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 9780761970880
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 322

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Book Description
This is a comprehensive, critical review of social theory that places leading contributions in their larger context. Written predominantly for students, the scope and range of the subjects and authors dealt with results in one of the most comprehensive introductions to social theory published to date. Ranging from the philosophical foundations of sociology and the discovery of `the social' to distinctive sociological approaches, to the significance of issues pertaining to gender and patriarchy, to questions of modernity and post-modernity, the book is comprehensive in subject matter.

Critical Social Theory and the End of Work

Critical Social Theory and the End of Work PDF Author: Edward Granter
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317157036
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 212

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Book Description
Critical Social Theory and the End of Work examines the development and sociological significance of the idea that work is being eliminated through the use of advanced production technology. Granter’s engagement with the work of key American and European figures such as Marx, Marcuse, Gorz, Habermas and Negri, focuses his arguments for the abolition of labour as a response to the current socio-historical changes affecting our work ethic and consumer ideology. By combining history of ideas with social theory, this book considers how the 'end of work' thesis has developed and has been critically implemented in the analysis of modern society. This book will appeal to scholars of sociology, history of ideas, social and cultural theory as well as those working in the fields of critical management and sociology of work.

Development of Social Theory

Development of Social Theory PDF Author: James Pendleton Lichtenberger
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 506

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Book Description