Social Science Methodology: A Unified Framework

by John Gerring

• ISBN13: 9780521132770
• ISBN10: 0521132770
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-02-13
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

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.

Table of Contents

Preface

A unified framework

General:

Beginnings

Arguments

Analyses

Description:

Concepts

Descriptive arguments

Measurements

Causation:

Causal arguments

Causal analyses

Causal strategies: X and Y

Causal strategies: beyond X and Y

Varying approaches to causal inference

Conclusions:

Unity and plurality

Setting standards

Postscript: justifications

Appendix: a few words on style

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.