Social Causality

Author: Jerald Hage and Barbara Foley Meeker Series: Contemporary Social Research

Hardcover

Originally published in 1988, this book takes the reader through the theoretical and practical maze that has to be negotiated before definitive statements about cause and effect in social research can be made. It was designed for the undergraduate student on a first research methods course.

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Summary

Description

Originally published in 1988, Social Causality takes the reader through the theoretical and practical maze that has to be negotiated before definitive statements about cause and effect in social research can be made. It was designed for the undergraduate student on a first research methods course; graduate students on more advanced methods courses will also find that it addresses questions with which they are regularly confronted.

The authors explore the use of the term ‘causality’ as it exists in the social methodology, social theory and philosophical literatures, explaining different usages and common misconceptions. They argue that the construction of valuable statements about causality often requires the location and exploration of complex networks of variables, and they outline techniques for doing this. They link their views to specific studies in social psychology and organizational theory – in particular, studies of innovation and change. This strategy reflects a conviction that is evident throughout the book – that the analysis and advice of social scientists can be of practical import, and demonstrably effective.

About the Author

Jerald Hage

Barbara Foley Meeker is a Professor Emerita in the Sociology Department at the University of Maryland, USA. She has a B. A. in Sociology and Mathematics from the University of Kansas and both an M. A. and a PhD. in Sociology from Stanford University. Her areas of research and publication include the social psychology of small group processes, mathematical sociology and the construction of sociological theory.