Computational and Mathematical Modeling in the Social Sciences

Offers an overview of mathematical modeling concentrating on game theory, statistics and computational modeling.

Scott de Marchi (Author)

9780521619134, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 22 August 2005

220 pages, 20 b/w illus. 7 tables
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.3 cm, 0.308 kg

' … we have in this slim volume, full of good ideas, deep insights and practical advice for how to do sound methodological work and how not to do it. Given these strengths, this book should earn a cultish following among graduate students who possess a methodological bent.' Public Choice

Mathematical models in the social sciences have become increasingly sophisticated and widespread in the last decade. This period has also seen many critiques, most lamenting the sacrifices incurred in pursuit of mathematical rigor. If, as critics argue, our ability to understand the world has not improved during the mathematization of the social sciences, we might want to adopt a different paradigm. This book examines the three main fields of mathematical modeling - game theory, statistics, and computational methods - and proposes a new framework for modeling. Unlike previous treatments which view each field separately, the treatment provides a framework that spans and incorporates the different methodological approaches. The goal is to arrive at a new vision of modeling that allows researchers to solve more complex problems in the social sciences. Additionally, a special emphasis is placed upon the role of computational modeling in the social sciences.

1. Not all fun and games: challenges in mathematical modeling
2. Looking for car keys without any street lights
3. From curses to complexity: the justification for computational modeling
4. Why everything should look like a nail: deriving parsimonious encodings for complex games
5. KKV redux: deriving and testing logical implications.

Subject Areas: Applied mathematics [PBW], Economic statistics [KCHS], Political science & theory [JPA], Sociology & anthropology [JH]