A tale of two cultures : qualitative and quantitative research in the social sciences / Gary Goertz and James Mahoney.

Format:

• Book

Author/Creator:

• Goertz, Gary, 1953-

Contributor:

• Mahoney, James, 1968-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

• Political science--Research--Methodology.
• Political sociology--Research--Methodology.
• Social sciences--Research--Methodology.
• Political sociology.
• Research.
• Methodology.
• Political science--Research.

Physical Description:

viii, 238 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Princeton, N.J. : Princeton University Press, 2012.

Summary:

Some in the social sciences argue that the same logic applies to both qualitative and quantitative methods. In A Tale of Two Cultures, Gary Goertz and James Mahoney demonstrate that these two paradigms constitute different cultures, each internally coherent yet marked by contrasting norms, practices, and toolkits. They identify and discuss major differences between these two traditions that touch nearly every aspect of social science research, including design, goals, causal effects and models, concepts and measurement, data analysis, and case selection. Although focused on the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, Goertz and Mahoney also seek to promote toleration, exchange, and learning by enabling scholars to think beyond their own culture and see an alternative scientific worldview. This book is written in an easily accessible style and features a host of real-world examples to illustrate methodological points. Book jacket.

Contents:

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Mathematical prelude: a selective introduction to logic and set theory for social scientists
• I. Causal Models and Inference: 3. Causes-of-effects versus effects-of-causes; 4. Causal models; 5. Asymmetry; 6. Hume's two definitions of cause
• II. Within-Case Analysis: 7. Within-case versus cross-case causal analysis; 8. Causal mechanisms and process tracing; 9. Counterfactuals
• III. Concepts and Measurement: 10. Concepts: definitions, indicators, and error; 11. Meaning and measurement; 12.
• Semantics, statistics, and data transformations; 13. Conceptual opposites and typologies
• IV. Research Design and Generalization: 14. Case selection and hypothesis testing; 15. Generalizations; 16. Scope; 17. Conclusion.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

• 9780691149707
• 0691149704
• 9780691149714
• 0691149712

OCLC:

782128021