Rethinking Social Inquiry: Diverse Tools, Shared Standards - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1442203447 ISBN 13: 9781442203440

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2010

Synopsis

With innovative new chapters on process tracing, regression analysis, and natural experiments, the second edition of Rethinking Social Inquiry further extends the reach of this path-breaking book. The original debate with King, Keohane, and Verba_now updated_remains central to the volume, and the new material illuminates evolving discussions of essential methodological tools. Thus, process tracing is often invoked as fundamental to qualitative analysis, but is rarely applied with precision. Pitfalls of regression analysis are sometimes noted, but often are inadequately examined. And the complex assumptions and trade-offs of natural experiments are poorly understood. The second edition extends the methodological horizon through exploring these critical tools. A distinctive feature of this edition is the online placement of four chapters from the prior edition, all focused on the dialogue with King, Keohane, and Verba. Also posted online are exercises for teaching process tracing.

About this title

From the Publisher:

When it was first published, Designing Social Inquiry, by political scientists Gary King, Robert Keohane, and Sidney Verba, at once struck chords of controversy. As it became one of the best-selling methodology books in memory, it continued to spark debate in journal articles, conference panels, and books.

Rethinking Social Inquiry is a major new effort by a broad range of leading scholars to offer a cohesive set of reflections on Designing Social Inquiry's quest for common standards drawn from quantitative methodology. While vigorously agreeing to the need for common standards, the essays in Rethinking Social Inquiry argue forcefully that these standards must be drawn from exemplary qualitative research as well as the best quantitative studies. The essays make the case that good social science requires a set of diverse tools for inquiry.

Key additions to the seminal pieces gathered here include an original overview of Designing Social Inquiry, a new essay on evaluating causation, and a concluding chapter that draws together basic issues in the ongoing methodological debate.

Published in cooperation with the Berkeley Public Policy Press.

Review by Michael Wallerstein, Yale University in on : "The authors display a sophisticated understanding of the diverse strengths and pitfalls of quantitative and qualitative methods of inference within the context of a common commitment to the idea that political science is a scientific enterprise. The essays in this collection ought to be on the reading list of the introductory methods course that all graduate programs offer."

From the Inside Flap:

Features:

--The debate about the relative value of and relationship between qualitative and quantitative research rages on and this book captures its essence. --Both editors and contributors are among the very best in key social science fields including political science, sociology, education, and beyond. --Simple, straightforward presentation of difficult material with a minimum of technical jargon and mathematical notation. --Jumps off from the perspective of Designing Social Inquiry, one of the best-selling methods books of all time. Transcends this benchmark work by integrating quantitative and qualitative perspectives, sharing tools, and otherwise setting a new benchmark for methods discourse. --Includes learning aids such as compact summary tables, glossary of key terms, annotated references, name and subject indexes, and more.

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1442203447
• ISBN 13: 9781442203440
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 428
• Editor: Henry E. Brady, David Collier