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