Quantitative Methods for Historians: A Guide to Research, Data, and Statistics - Hardcover

Jarausch, Konrad H.; Hardy, Kenneth A.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0807819476 ISBN 13: 9780807819470

Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press, 1991

Synopsis

The pioneering texts in quantitative history were written over two decades ago, but as a command of methodological context, computer experience, and statistical literacy have become increasingly important to the study of history, the need for an introductory text addressing these matters has increased. Quantitative Methods for Historians is a theoretical and practical guide for the application of quantitative analysis in historical research. It is designed for students of history and related disciplines who are curious about the possibilities of quantification and want to learn more about its recent development.

Integrating the use of the statistical packages SAS and SPSS with the quantitative method, the authors discuss techniques for defining a problem, proceed to the building of a data set and the use of statistical methods, and conclude with the interpretation of results. The data set section concentrates on the basics of formalized research, discussing the coding process and the more complicated problems of data transformation and linkage. The statistical parts systematically build upon traditional fundamentals and introduce new analytical techniques for qualitative variables.

Intended as a working introduction to quantitative methods, this guide also provides additional information on advanced statistical techniques and discusses questions of historical computing, reflecting critically on the proper role of quantitative methods.

About this title

Book Description:

"Quantitative historians have been waiting for a long time for a book such as this. It assumes no previous knowledge of mathematics or computing, but building step by step, achieves a remarkable degree of methodological sophistication while still remaining accessible to the non-specialist. Other strengths include its attempted dialogue with more traditional scholars and its balance between American and European fields of research."--Walter D. Kamphoefner, Texas A&M University

About the Author:

Konrad H. Jarausch is Lurcy Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kenneth A. Hardy is former director of the Statistical Laboratory of the Institute for Research in Social Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

About this edition

• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0807819476
• ISBN 13: 9780807819470
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 266