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Fuzzy–Set Social Science

Charles Ragin

$61.95

Paperback

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English
University of Chicago Press
01 August 2000
"In this innovative approach to the practice of social science, Charles Ragin explores the use of fuzzy sets to bridge the divide between quantitative and qualitative methods. Paradoxically, the fuzzy set is a powerful tool because it replaces an unwieldy, ""fuzzy"" instrument—the variable, which establishes only the positions of cases relative to each other, with a precise one—degree of membership in a well-defined set.

Ragin argues that fuzzy sets allow a far richer dialogue between ideas and evidence in social research than previously possible. They let quantitative researchers abandon ""homogenizing assumptions"" about cases and causes, they extend diversity-oriented research strategies, and they provide a powerful connection between theory and data analysis. Most important, fuzzy sets can be carefully tailored to fit evolving theoretical concepts, sharpening quantitative tools with in-depth knowledge gained through qualitative, case-oriented inquiry. This book will revolutionize research methods not only in sociology, political science, and anthropology but in any field of inquiry dealing with complex patterns of causation."

By:  
Imprint:   University of Chicago Press
Country of Publication:   United States
Edition:   2nd ed.
Dimensions:   Height: 233mm,  Width: 152mm,  Spine: 22mm
Weight:   556g
ISBN:   9780226702773
ISBN 10:   0226702774
Pages:   370
Publication Date:  
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational ,  A / AS level ,  Further / Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Charles Ragin is professor of sociology and political science at the University of Arizona. He is the author of Redesigning Social Inquiry: Fuzzy-Sets and Beyond and The Comparative Method: Moving Beyond Qualitative and Quantitative Strategies.

Reviews for Fuzzy–Set Social Science

From the reviews: <p> Charles Manski has produced a nice and compact text written with extreme care, providing technical detail, and mathematical proofs where needed. Biometrics, March 2005 <p> This book is an excellent and rigorous presentation of the state of research in the area of partial identification of populations and credible inference, in which the author has made many important contributions. a ] The overall quality of the book is very good. a ] The main part of each chapter is written in a textbook style. a ] Clearly, both methodology and the applications presented are intended to provide statisticians with a good foundation for further study in the subject a ] . (Evdokia Xekalaki, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1047 (22), 2004) <p> I found the material very pertinent, departing, as it does, from the usual parametric approach in which the conclusions depend rather critically on the probability model adopted. Given a chance, it will make the traditionalist, like me, stop and think and perhaps, try to mend their ways a little. The main part of each chapter is written in textbook style, but fairly formally and rigorously a ] . At the end of each chapter appear a ~Complementsa (TM), giving examples and extensions, and a ~Endnotesa (TM)a ] . (M. J. Crowder, Short Book Reviews, Vol. 23 (3), 2003) <p> This book, containing ten chapters, is the first comprehensive presentation of the theory of partial identification of probability distributions. It gives an overview of the research into this topic. (M. Riedel, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2006 g) <p> The book is carefully and thoughtfully written. Some chapters start with a cogent section on the anatomy of the problem, and all endwith complements addressing specific contexts. (Alan F. Kaar, Journal of the American Statistical Association, Vol. 102, No. 477, 2007)


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