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 : 347

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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 : 347

Get Book

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.

Social Science Methodology

Social Science Methodology PDF Author: John Gerring
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1139503774
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 523

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Book Description
John Gerring's exceptional textbook has been thoroughly revised in this second edition. It offers a one-volume introduction to social science methodology relevant to the disciplines of anthropology, economics, history, political science, psychology and sociology. This new edition has been extensively developed with the introduction of new material and a thorough treatment of essential elements such as conceptualization, measurement, causality and research design. It is written for students, long-time practitioners and methodologists and covers both qualitative and quantitative methods. It synthesizes the vast and diverse field of methodology in a way that is clear, concise and comprehensive. While offering a handy overview of the subject, the book is also an argument about how we should conceptualize methodological problems. Thinking about methodology through this lens provides a new framework for understanding work in the social sciences.

Social Science Research

Social Science Research PDF Author: Anol Bhattacherjee
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781475146127
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 156

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Book Description
This book is designed to introduce doctoral and graduate students to the process of conducting scientific research in the social sciences, business, education, public health, and related disciplines. It is a one-stop, comprehensive, and compact source for foundational concepts in behavioral research, and can serve as a stand-alone text or as a supplement to research readings in any doctoral seminar or research methods class. This book is currently used as a research text at universities on six continents and will shortly be available in nine different languages.

Developments in the Methodology of Social Science

Developments in the Methodology of Social Science PDF Author: W. Leinfellner
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9401022593
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 443

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Book Description
Philosophy of Science deals with the problem, 'What is science?' It seems that the answer to this question can only be found if we have an answer to the question, 'How does science function?' Thus, the study of the methodology of social sciences is a prominent factor in any analysis of these sciences. The history of philosophy shows clearly that the answer to the question, 'How does science function?' was the conditio sine qua non of any kind of philosophy of science, epistemology and even of logic. Aristotle, Hume, Kant, Mill, Russell, to mention a few classical authors, clearly emphasized the primacy of methodology of science for any kind of philosophy of science. One may even state that analyses of the presup positions, the foundations, the aims, goals and purposes of science are nothing else than analyses of their general and specific formal, as well as practical and empirical methods. Thus, the whole program of any phi losophy of science is dependent on the analysis of the methods of sciences and the establishment of their criteria. If the study of scientific method is the predominant factor in the philosophy of science, then all the other problems will depend on the outcome of such a study. For example, the old question of a possible unity of all social sciences will be brought to a solution by the study of the presuppositions, the methods, as well as of the criteria germane to all social sciences.

Advances in Social Science Research Using R

Advances in Social Science Research Using R PDF Author: Hrishikesh D. Vinod
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441917640
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 219

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Book Description
Quantitative social science research has been expanding due to the ava- ability of computers and data over the past few decades. Yet the textbooks and supplements for researchers do not adequately highlight the revolution created by the R software [2] and graphics system. R is fast becoming the l- gua franca of quantitative research with some 2000 free specialized packages, where the latest versions can be downloaded in seconds. Many packages such as “car” [1] developed by social scientists are popular among all scientists. An early 2009 article [3] in the New York Times notes that statisticians, engineers and scientists without computer programming skills ?nd R “easy to use.” A common language R can readily promote deeper mutual respect and understanding of unique problems facing quantitative work in various social sciences. Often the solutions developed in one ?eld can be extended and used in many ?elds. This book promotes just such exchange of ideas across many social sciences. Since Springer has played a leadership role in promoting R, we are fortunate to have Springer publish this book. A Conference on Quantitative Social Science Research Using R was held in New York City at the Lincoln Center campus of Fordham University, June 18–19, 2009. This book contains selected papers presented at the conference, representing the “Proceedings” of the conference.

Methods That Matter

Methods That Matter PDF Author: M. Cameron Hay
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
ISBN: 022632866X
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 459

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Book Description
To do research that really makes a difference -- the authors of this book argue -- social scientists need a diverse set of questions and methods, both qualitative and quantitative, in order to reflect the complexity of the world. Bringing together a consortium of voices across a variety of fields, Methods That Matter offers compelling and successful examples of mixed methods research that does just that. Discussing their own endeavors to combine quantitative and qualitative methodologies, the authors invite readers into a conversation about the best designs and practices of mixed methods to stimulate creative ideas and find new pathways of insight. The result is an engaging exploration of a promising approach to the social sciences. --

Max Weber on the Methodology of the Social Sciences

Max Weber on the Methodology of the Social Sciences PDF Author: Max Weber
Publisher: Franklin Classics Trade Press
ISBN: 9780353278028
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 210

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Book Description
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Statistics in the Social Sciences

Statistics in the Social Sciences PDF Author: Stanislav Kolenikov
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470583320
Category : Mathematics
Languages : en
Pages : 222

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Book Description
A one-of-a-kind compilation of modern statistical methods designed to support and advance research across the social sciences Statistics in the Social Sciences: Current Methodological Developments presents new and exciting statistical methodologies to help advance research and data analysis across the many disciplines in the social sciences. Quantitative methods in various subfields, from psychology to economics, are under demand for constant development and refinement. This volume features invited overview papers, as well as original research presented at the Sixth Annual Winemiller Conference: Methodological Developments of Statistics in the Social Sciences, an international meeting that focused on fostering collaboration among mathematical statisticians and social science researchers. The book provides an accessible and insightful look at modern approaches to identifying and describing current, effective methodologies that ultimately add value to various fields of social science research. With contributions from leading international experts on the topic, the book features in-depth coverage of modern quantitative social sciences topics, including: Correlation Structures Structural Equation Models and Recent Extensions Order-Constrained Proximity Matrix Representations Multi-objective and Multi-dimensional Scaling Differences in Bayesian and Non-Bayesian Inference Bootstrap Test of Shape Invariance across Distributions Statistical Software for the Social Sciences Statistics in the Social Sciences: Current Methodological Developments is an excellent supplement for graduate courses on social science statistics in both statistics departments and quantitative social sciences programs. It is also a valuable reference for researchers and practitioners in the fields of psychology, sociology, economics, and market research.

Emerging Trends and Methods in International Security

Emerging Trends and Methods in International Security PDF Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030947387X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 91

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Book Description
Beginning in October 2017, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine organized a set of workshops designed to gather information for the Decadal Survey of Social and Behavioral Sciences for Applications to National Security. The second workshop focused on emerging trends and methods in international security and this publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from this workshop.

Method in Social Science

Method in Social Science PDF Author: R. Andrew Sayer
Publisher: Psychology Press
ISBN: 0415076072
Category : Social sciences
Languages : en
Pages : 326

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Book Description
Widely praised on its first publication, this second edition directly reflects new developments in the areas of philosophy and method.