David Byrne

Complexity Theory and the Social Sciences

An Introduction

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

This is the first introduction to chaos theory for social science students. It discusses key concepts and shows how the use of complexity theory can transform the study of central issues in social research such as: * urban studies * education * health.

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Chaos and complexity are the new buzz words in both science and contemporary society. The ideas they represent have enormous implications for the way we understand and engage with the world. Complexity Theory and the Social Sciences introduces students to the central ideas which surround the chaos/complexity theories. It discusses key concepts before using them as a way of investigating the nature of social research. By applying them to such familiar topics as urban studies, education and health, David Byrne allows readers new to the subject to appreciate the contribution which complexity theory can make to social research and to illuminating the crucial social issues of our day.

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Hinweis: Dieser Artikel kann nur an eine deutsche Lieferadresse ausgeliefert werden.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Routledge
• Seitenzahl: 216
• Erscheinungstermin: 1. Oktober 1998
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 222mm x 145mm x 15mm
• Gewicht: 409g
• ISBN-13: 9780415162951
• ISBN-10: 0415162955
• Artikelnr.: 22031948

Autorenporträt

David Byrne is Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Durham. He is author of Beyond the Inner City and has published a number of articles in urban sociology and social policy.

Inhaltsangabe

Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Understanding the complex 2. The reality
of the complex: the complexity of the real 3. Complexity and the
quantitative programme in social science 4. Analysing social complexity 5.
Complex spaces: regions, cities and neighbourhoods in a complex world 6.
The complex character of health and illness 7. Complexity, education and
change 8. Complexity and policy: the limits to urban governance 9.
Conclusion Glossary Notes Bibliography Index

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Introduction, 1. A manifesto for interdisciplinarity founded on the complexity frame of reference, 2. The complexity frame of reference and action, 3. Doing complexity science, 4. Evolutionary social theory, 5. Structure and agency, 6. Time and place, 7. Social theory and macro system transformation, 8. Complexity theory and the qualitative research programme, 9. Quantitative methods for exploring, understanding, and possibly predicting complex social systems and their intersection with natural systems, 10. Complexity and mixed methods, 11. Modes of governance, 12. Evaluation in a complexity frame, 13. Explicit complexity evaluation, 14. Shaping research and policy, 15. Beyond disciplines and fields: COVID and a world in crisis, Conclusion