Computer Modeling of Social Processes

This book introduces and the new computer-based research methods for studying and modeling complex social phenomena. It is the first coherent collection that surveys the impact that computer-based methods have had on the social and behavioural sciences and illustrates the potential for future research. The methods are presented in an accessible manner and do not assume any background in computer science.

The authors introduce each chapter and explain how computers can help to study social processes and each method is described in relation to a substantive issue to show how it can contribute to our understanding of complex problems. The themes covered include computer simulation, neural and social networks and the visualization of complex network data.

CONTRIBUTORS OUTSIDE WESTERN HEMISPHERE

Herman J Ader Netherlands

Inge Bramsen Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Pieter H de Vries University of Groningen

Dieter Gernert Technische Universitat, Munchen

Reint Geuze University of Groningen

Alden S Klovdahl Australian National University

Ben J M Mulder University of Groningen

Klaus G Troitzch Koblenz-Landau University

Rob van Ouwerkerk University of Groningen

Wai Chan Chinese University of Hong Kong