Approaches and Methodologies in the Social Sciences
A Pluralist Perspective

A textbook for masters and doctoral students introducing the major research approaches and methodologies in the social sciences.

Donatella Della Porta (Edited by), Michael Keating (Edited by)

9780521709668, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 August 2008

382 pages, 5 b/w illus. 21 tables
24.6 x 17.5 x 1.8 cm, 0.76 kg

'An excellent volume which demonstrate that different epistemological and methodological approaches can fruitfully speak to each other in a logic of 'reasonable pluralism'. A book that should become compulsory reading for all researchers training in the social sciences.' Maurizio Ferrera, University of Milan

A revolutionary textbook introducing masters and doctoral students to the major research approaches and methodologies in the social sciences. Written by an outstanding set of scholars, and derived from successful course teaching, this volume will empower students to choose their own approach to research, to justify this approach, and to situate it within the discipline. It addresses questions of ontology, epistemology and philosophy of social science, and proceeds to issues of methodology and research design essential for producing a good research proposal. It also introduces researchers to the main issues of debate and contention in the methodology of social sciences, identifying commonalities, historic continuities and genuine differences.

Preface
1. Introduction Donatella della Porta and Michael Keating
Part I. Epistemology and Philosophy of the Social Sciences: 2. How many approaches in the social sciences? An epistemological introduction Donatella della Porta and Michael Keating
3. Normative political theory and empirical research Rainer Bauböck
4. Causal explanation Adrienne Héritier
5. Constructivism: what it is (not) and how it matters Friedrich Kratochwil
6. Culture and social science Michael Keating
7. Historical institutionalism Sven Steinmo
8. Game theory Christine Chwaszcza
9. Rationality and recognition Alessandro Pizzorno
Part II. Research Design: 10. Concepts and concept formation Peter Mair
11. Comparative analysis: case-oriented versus variable-oriented research Donatella della Porta
12. Case studies and process tracing: theories and practices Pascal Vennesson
13. Quantitative analysis Mark Franklin
14. The design of social and political research Philippe Schmitter
15. Ethnographic approaches Zoe Bray
16. Comparing approaches, methodologies and methods. Some concluding remarks Donatella della Porta and Michael Keating
References
Glossary
Index.

Subject Areas: Social research & statistics [JHBC], Society & social sciences [J], Research methods: general [GPS]