Method in Social Science was widely praised on its first publication for providing a series of penetrating reflections on central questions in social science discourse. This second edition directly reflects new developments in the areas of philosophy and method. The introduction has been rewritten and substantially enlarged, clarifying many of the arguments that appear in the text. There is also a short discussion of the importance of narrative form, particularly useful for students concerned with the problems of writing, composition and presentation of their own material.

Table of Contents

Preface to the second edition Introduction Knowledge in context Theory, observation and practical adequacy Theory and method I: abstraction, structure and cause Theory and method II: types of system and their implications Some influential misadventures in the philosophy of science Quantitative methods in social science Verification and falsification Popper's 'falsificationism' Problems of explanation and the aims of social science Notes and references Bibliography Index

Author Biography

University of Lancaster.