Description
Book SynopsisSome in the social sciences argue that the same logic applies to both qualitative and quantitative methods. This title discusses major differences between these two traditions that touch various aspects of social science research, including design, goals, causal effects and models, concepts and measurement, data analysis, and case selection.
Trade Review"A Tale of Two Cultures is an informative read for social scientists, especially those who find themselves specialized in one culture of research instead of the other (which of course) is most of us. If one is absent a background in either culture, Goertz and Mahoney provide clear examples to illustrate their arguments. Thus, those instructing research methods will find the book a particularly helpful teaching tool, even if some may take issue with the 'two culture' approach. After all, promoting appreciation and exchange of research methods through better understanding is indeed a worthy goal."--Maria Kuecken, LSE Review of Books "All in all the authors should be thanked for writing a very interesting and well-written book which will set the stage for a methodological debate that will enlighten us all."--Robert Klemmensen, Political Studies Review
Table of ContentsPreface vii *1. Introduction 1 *2. Mathematical Prelude: A Selective Introduction to Logic and Set Theory for Social Scientists 16 I. CAUSAL MODELS AND INFERENCE *3. Causes-of-Effects versus Effects-of-Causes 41 *4. Causal Models 51 *5. Asymmetry 64 *6. Hume's Two Definitions of Cause 75 II. WITHIN-CASE ANALYSIS *7. Within-Case versus Cross-Case Causal Analysis 87 *8. Causal Mechanisms and Process Tracing 100 *9. Counterfactuals 115 III. CONCEPTS AND MEASUREMENT *10. Concepts: Definitions, Indicators, and Error 127 *11. Meaning and Measurement 139 *12. Semantics, Statistics, and Data Transformations 150 *13. Conceptual Opposites and Typologies 161 IV. RESEARCH DESIGN AND GENERALIZATION *14. Case Selection and Hypothesis Testing 177 *15. Generalizations 192 *16. Scope 205 *17. Conclusion 220 Appendix 227 Name Index 231 Subject Index 235
