Time Matters: On Theory and MethodUniversity of Chicago Press, 2001 M07 15 - 318 páginas What do variables really tell us? When exactly do inventions occur? Why do we always miss turning points as they transpire? When does what doesn't happen mean as much, if not more, than what does? Andrew Abbott considers these fascinating questions in Time Matters, a diverse series of essays that constitutes the most extensive analysis of temporality in social science today. Ranging from abstract theoretical reflection to pointed methodological critique, Abbott demonstrates the inevitably theoretical character of any methodology. Time Matters focuses particularly on questions of time, events, and causality. Abbott grounds each essay in straightforward examinations of actual social scientific analyses. Throughout, he demonstrates the crucial assumptions we make about causes and events, about actors and interaction and about time and meaning every time we employ methods of social analysis, whether in academic disciplines, market research, public opinion polling, or even evaluation research. Turning current assumptions on their heads, Abbott not only outlines the theoretical orthodoxies of empirical social science, he sketches new alternatives, laying down foundations for a new body of social theory. |
Contenido
prologue An Autobiographical Introduction | 1 |
part one METHODS AND ASSUMPTIONS | 35 |
part two TIME AND METHOD | 127 |
part three TIME AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE | 207 |
epilogue Time Matters | 280 |
References | 299 |
313 | |
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Términos y frases comunes
Abbott Abell action actors ambiguity analysis analyze approach argued argument assume assumptions attributes Bergson boundaries careers causal causes central chapter Chicago cluster complex context course defined determination discussion duration Durkheim emergent empirical event history example explanation fact formal game theory Gibbs sampling important independent variables individual interaction involved issue linear literature logical main effects Mead means measure methodological micro multiple narrative narrativist occupations ontology paper particular past patterns Peter Abell philosophical population/analytic positivism positivist present Press problem Process and Reality quantitative rational choice theory relation RELITEN sense sequence sequential game simply social entities social process social reality social science social structure social world sociological positivism sociologists space standard methods statistics stochastic stochastic process stories studies Svend Foyn temporal theoretical theory things tion tive Tjøme trajectories turning points University various whaling workers