Politics of Social Research

Politics of Social Research

Author: Ralph Leon Beals

Publisher: Transaction Publishers

Published:

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 0202367983

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Politics of Social Research addresses itself to the question of the behavior appropriate for social scientists conducting research sponsored by or otherwise involving government agencies--our own and those of other countries. The simple patriotism that suggests that social scientists, like other citizens, should not hesitate to put their skills at the service of their government is questioned here and by practitioners. This is partly because of outright disagreement with government policies and partly because of the threat to independence posed by massive government funding. As this book plainly shows, the problems are especially acute for social scientists working abroad, where they are viewed as de facto representatives of American policy while at the same time they must accommodate to the policies of foreign governments. Beals begins by describing specific and precipitating problems--Project Camelot and other research undertakings that met with difficulties--and a general review of the kinds of problems people engaged in social research encounter (concealment and misrepresentation, nationalism and colonialism, protection of subjects, etc.) These problems are then placed in historical and ideological perspective. This reveals differing views of the relationship between social scientists and government and the meanings and uses of various kinds of research. The book also contains a survey of the particular problems encountered by research social scientists in each of the major areas outside the United States. First published in 1969, and here reissued with a new introduction, this volume remains essential reading for all who are concerned with improving the responsible use of social research by governments, while safeguarding the freedom and integrity of the research and the researcher. Ralph L. Beals was chairman of the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Alan Woolfolk is director, core curriculum at Oglethorpe University, Atlanta.


Book Synopsis Politics of Social Research by : Ralph Leon Beals

Download or read book Politics of Social Research written by Ralph Leon Beals and published by Transaction Publishers. This book was released on with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Politics of Social Research addresses itself to the question of the behavior appropriate for social scientists conducting research sponsored by or otherwise involving government agencies--our own and those of other countries. The simple patriotism that suggests that social scientists, like other citizens, should not hesitate to put their skills at the service of their government is questioned here and by practitioners. This is partly because of outright disagreement with government policies and partly because of the threat to independence posed by massive government funding. As this book plainly shows, the problems are especially acute for social scientists working abroad, where they are viewed as de facto representatives of American policy while at the same time they must accommodate to the policies of foreign governments. Beals begins by describing specific and precipitating problems--Project Camelot and other research undertakings that met with difficulties--and a general review of the kinds of problems people engaged in social research encounter (concealment and misrepresentation, nationalism and colonialism, protection of subjects, etc.) These problems are then placed in historical and ideological perspective. This reveals differing views of the relationship between social scientists and government and the meanings and uses of various kinds of research. The book also contains a survey of the particular problems encountered by research social scientists in each of the major areas outside the United States. First published in 1969, and here reissued with a new introduction, this volume remains essential reading for all who are concerned with improving the responsible use of social research by governments, while safeguarding the freedom and integrity of the research and the researcher. Ralph L. Beals was chairman of the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles. Alan Woolfolk is director, core curriculum at Oglethorpe University, Atlanta.


The Politics of Social Research

The Politics of Social Research

Author: Professor Martyn Hammersley

Publisher: SAGE

Published: 1995-03-09

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 9781446238417

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Is social research political? Should it be political? What are the implications of the politicization of social research? Recent years have seen a growing range of challenges to the idea that research should be governed by the principle of value neutrality. Critical, feminist, antiracist and postmodernist analyses have argued that social research is intrinsically political. In this stimulating and often controversial book, Martyn Hammersley weighs the arguments offered in support of these positions. He considers the fundamental issues that the debate raises about the nature of social research, its political dimensions and its contemporary relevance. At the same time he provides a robust defence of value neutrality as a constitutive principle of social research, and makes a reassessment of the role of research in modern societies. Praise for The Politics of Social Research For anyone interested in the nature of social research, who has enough grasp of the issues to access the text, this book is a must' - "British Journal of Educational Psychology "All in all Hammersley has produced a text which provides us with much to think about. As I have said, certain chapters will, no doubt, attract considerable debate. Almost all of the chapters could stand alone but the broad political theme used to bring chapters and topics together works well almost always' - "Local Government Studies "Not only is Hammersley a leading exponent of sociological research, he is also a key writer and thinker on the problems of undertaking research. This collection, some of which has been published elsewhere and some not, therefore is a welcome addition to the literature on social research... interesting and well-argued' - "Disability and Society "


Book Synopsis The Politics of Social Research by : Professor Martyn Hammersley

Download or read book The Politics of Social Research written by Professor Martyn Hammersley and published by SAGE. This book was released on 1995-03-09 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Is social research political? Should it be political? What are the implications of the politicization of social research? Recent years have seen a growing range of challenges to the idea that research should be governed by the principle of value neutrality. Critical, feminist, antiracist and postmodernist analyses have argued that social research is intrinsically political. In this stimulating and often controversial book, Martyn Hammersley weighs the arguments offered in support of these positions. He considers the fundamental issues that the debate raises about the nature of social research, its political dimensions and its contemporary relevance. At the same time he provides a robust defence of value neutrality as a constitutive principle of social research, and makes a reassessment of the role of research in modern societies. Praise for The Politics of Social Research For anyone interested in the nature of social research, who has enough grasp of the issues to access the text, this book is a must' - "British Journal of Educational Psychology "All in all Hammersley has produced a text which provides us with much to think about. As I have said, certain chapters will, no doubt, attract considerable debate. Almost all of the chapters could stand alone but the broad political theme used to bring chapters and topics together works well almost always' - "Local Government Studies "Not only is Hammersley a leading exponent of sociological research, he is also a key writer and thinker on the problems of undertaking research. This collection, some of which has been published elsewhere and some not, therefore is a welcome addition to the literature on social research... interesting and well-argued' - "Disability and Society "


Applying Social Science

Applying Social Science

Author: Byrne, David

Publisher: Policy Press

Published: 2011-02-16

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 1847424503

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This important book examines how social science is applied now and how it might be applied in the future in relation to social transformation in a time of crisis.


Book Synopsis Applying Social Science by : Byrne, David

Download or read book Applying Social Science written by Byrne, David and published by Policy Press. This book was released on 2011-02-16 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This important book examines how social science is applied now and how it might be applied in the future in relation to social transformation in a time of crisis.


Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research

Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research

Author: Jeff Gill

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2006-04-24

Total Pages: 449

ISBN-13: 0521834260

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"More than ever before, modern social scientists require a basic level of mathematical literacy, yet many students receive only limited mathematical training prior to beginning their research careers. This textbook addresses this dilemma by offering a comprehensive, unified introduction to the essential mathematics of social science. Throughout the book the presentation builds from first principles and eschews unnecessary complexity. Most importantly, the discussion is thoroughly and consistently anchored in real social science applications, with more than 80 research-based illustrations woven into the text and featured in end-of-chapter exercises. Students and researchers alike will find this first-of-its-kind volume to be an invaluable resource."--BOOK JACKET.


Book Synopsis Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research by : Jeff Gill

Download or read book Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research written by Jeff Gill and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2006-04-24 with total page 449 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "More than ever before, modern social scientists require a basic level of mathematical literacy, yet many students receive only limited mathematical training prior to beginning their research careers. This textbook addresses this dilemma by offering a comprehensive, unified introduction to the essential mathematics of social science. Throughout the book the presentation builds from first principles and eschews unnecessary complexity. Most importantly, the discussion is thoroughly and consistently anchored in real social science applications, with more than 80 research-based illustrations woven into the text and featured in end-of-chapter exercises. Students and researchers alike will find this first-of-its-kind volume to be an invaluable resource."--BOOK JACKET.


The Social Politics of Research Collaboration

The Social Politics of Research Collaboration

Author: Gabriele Griffin

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2013-06-07

Total Pages: 216

ISBN-13: 1135091706

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The past two decades have seen an increasing emphasis on large and interdisciplinary research configurations such as research networks, and centers of excellence including those in Social Sciences and Humanities research. Little research has been undertaken, however, to understand how these new large research structures that are being called forth by research funders and research/higher education institutions alike function socially, and what the impact of operating within such structures is on those working within, and those working with, them. Past writers have discussed the "intra-agentic" operations of human researchers and the material laboratory environment in its broadest sense. This volume is concerned with the social politics of research collaboration in relation to six key positions: leaders of large research formations, leaders of sub-projects within large collaborations, participant researchers, junior and early career researchers, advisory board members, and those who look in from the outside such as researchers who are un-funded. It explores the mostly unacknowledged but critical aspect of social structures in research, discussing issues such as struggles over leadership styles, the marginalization of researchers working cross-disciplinarily, power hierarchies and intellectual ownership, and the silencing of dissent in research.


Book Synopsis The Social Politics of Research Collaboration by : Gabriele Griffin

Download or read book The Social Politics of Research Collaboration written by Gabriele Griffin and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2013-06-07 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The past two decades have seen an increasing emphasis on large and interdisciplinary research configurations such as research networks, and centers of excellence including those in Social Sciences and Humanities research. Little research has been undertaken, however, to understand how these new large research structures that are being called forth by research funders and research/higher education institutions alike function socially, and what the impact of operating within such structures is on those working within, and those working with, them. Past writers have discussed the "intra-agentic" operations of human researchers and the material laboratory environment in its broadest sense. This volume is concerned with the social politics of research collaboration in relation to six key positions: leaders of large research formations, leaders of sub-projects within large collaborations, participant researchers, junior and early career researchers, advisory board members, and those who look in from the outside such as researchers who are un-funded. It explores the mostly unacknowledged but critical aspect of social structures in research, discussing issues such as struggles over leadership styles, the marginalization of researchers working cross-disciplinarily, power hierarchies and intellectual ownership, and the silencing of dissent in research.


Ideas and Politics in Social Science Research

Ideas and Politics in Social Science Research

Author: Daniel Beland

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2010-12-10

Total Pages: 283

ISBN-13: 0199830878

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Writing about ideas, John Maynard Keynes noted that they are "more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else." One would expect, therefore, that political science--a discipline that focuses specifically on the nature of power--would have a healthy respect for the role of ideas. However, for a variety of reasons--not least of which is the influence of rational choice theory, which presumes that individuals are self-maximizing rational actors--this is not the case, and the literature on the topic is fairly thin. As the stellar cast of contributors to this volume show, ideas are in fact powerful shapers of political and social life. In Ideas and Politics in Social Science Research, Daniel Béland and Robert Henry Cox have gathered leading scholars from a variety of subdisciplines in political science and sociology to provide a general overview of the theoretical, empirical, and methodological issues raised by social science research on ideas and politics. Throughout, they hone in on three central questions. What is the theoretical basis for studying ideas in politics? What are the best methods? What sort of empirical puzzles can be solved by examining ideas and related phenomena such as discourse, policy paradigms, and framing processes? In sum, this is a state-of-the-art academic work on both the role of ideas in politics and the analytical utility that derives from studying them.


Book Synopsis Ideas and Politics in Social Science Research by : Daniel Beland

Download or read book Ideas and Politics in Social Science Research written by Daniel Beland and published by Oxford University Press. This book was released on 2010-12-10 with total page 283 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Writing about ideas, John Maynard Keynes noted that they are "more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else." One would expect, therefore, that political science--a discipline that focuses specifically on the nature of power--would have a healthy respect for the role of ideas. However, for a variety of reasons--not least of which is the influence of rational choice theory, which presumes that individuals are self-maximizing rational actors--this is not the case, and the literature on the topic is fairly thin. As the stellar cast of contributors to this volume show, ideas are in fact powerful shapers of political and social life. In Ideas and Politics in Social Science Research, Daniel Béland and Robert Henry Cox have gathered leading scholars from a variety of subdisciplines in political science and sociology to provide a general overview of the theoretical, empirical, and methodological issues raised by social science research on ideas and politics. Throughout, they hone in on three central questions. What is the theoretical basis for studying ideas in politics? What are the best methods? What sort of empirical puzzles can be solved by examining ideas and related phenomena such as discourse, policy paradigms, and framing processes? In sum, this is a state-of-the-art academic work on both the role of ideas in politics and the analytical utility that derives from studying them.


Ethics, Politics, and Social Research

Ethics, Politics, and Social Research

Author: Gideon Sjoberg

Publisher: Cambridge, Mass. : Schenkman Publishing Company

Published: 1967

Total Pages: 394

ISBN-13:

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Book Synopsis Ethics, Politics, and Social Research by : Gideon Sjoberg

Download or read book Ethics, Politics, and Social Research written by Gideon Sjoberg and published by Cambridge, Mass. : Schenkman Publishing Company. This book was released on 1967 with total page 394 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:


A Mathematics Course for Political and Social Research

A Mathematics Course for Political and Social Research

Author: Will H. Moore

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2013-08-11

Total Pages: 450

ISBN-13: 0691159173

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Political science and sociology increasingly rely on mathematical modeling and sophisticated data analysis, and many graduate programs in these fields now require students to take a "math camp" or a semester-long or yearlong course to acquire the necessary skills. Available textbooks are written for mathematics or economics majors, and fail to convey to students of political science and sociology the reasons for learning often-abstract mathematical concepts. A Mathematics Course for Political and Social Research fills this gap, providing both a primer for math novices in the social sciences and a handy reference for seasoned researchers. The book begins with the fundamental building blocks of mathematics and basic algebra, then goes on to cover essential subjects such as calculus in one and more than one variable, including optimization, constrained optimization, and implicit functions; linear algebra, including Markov chains and eigenvectors; and probability. It describes the intermediate steps most other textbooks leave out, features numerous exercises throughout, and grounds all concepts by illustrating their use and importance in political science and sociology. Uniquely designed and ideal for students and researchers in political science and sociology Uses practical examples from political science and sociology Features "Why Do I Care?" sections that explain why concepts are useful Includes numerous exercises Complete online solutions manual (available only to professors, email david.siegel at duke.edu, subject line "Solution Set") Selected solutions available online to students


Book Synopsis A Mathematics Course for Political and Social Research by : Will H. Moore

Download or read book A Mathematics Course for Political and Social Research written by Will H. Moore and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2013-08-11 with total page 450 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Political science and sociology increasingly rely on mathematical modeling and sophisticated data analysis, and many graduate programs in these fields now require students to take a "math camp" or a semester-long or yearlong course to acquire the necessary skills. Available textbooks are written for mathematics or economics majors, and fail to convey to students of political science and sociology the reasons for learning often-abstract mathematical concepts. A Mathematics Course for Political and Social Research fills this gap, providing both a primer for math novices in the social sciences and a handy reference for seasoned researchers. The book begins with the fundamental building blocks of mathematics and basic algebra, then goes on to cover essential subjects such as calculus in one and more than one variable, including optimization, constrained optimization, and implicit functions; linear algebra, including Markov chains and eigenvectors; and probability. It describes the intermediate steps most other textbooks leave out, features numerous exercises throughout, and grounds all concepts by illustrating their use and importance in political science and sociology. Uniquely designed and ideal for students and researchers in political science and sociology Uses practical examples from political science and sociology Features "Why Do I Care?" sections that explain why concepts are useful Includes numerous exercises Complete online solutions manual (available only to professors, email david.siegel at duke.edu, subject line "Solution Set") Selected solutions available online to students


The Politics of Social Science Research

The Politics of Social Science Research

Author: P. Ratcliffe

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Published: 2001-06-18

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 9780333722473

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This book addresses some of the key questions facing contemporary social scientists. What is the point of our research? Who undertakes it? Does it have any impact on the social world it attempts to characterize: if so, what? It does so by focusing on international research on identity and inequality grounded in 'race' and ethnic difference. The contributors to the volume ask searching questions about the politics of research funding, the empowerment of minorities, and the prospects for meaningful change.


Book Synopsis The Politics of Social Science Research by : P. Ratcliffe

Download or read book The Politics of Social Science Research written by P. Ratcliffe and published by Palgrave Macmillan. This book was released on 2001-06-18 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book addresses some of the key questions facing contemporary social scientists. What is the point of our research? Who undertakes it? Does it have any impact on the social world it attempts to characterize: if so, what? It does so by focusing on international research on identity and inequality grounded in 'race' and ethnic difference. The contributors to the volume ask searching questions about the politics of research funding, the empowerment of minorities, and the prospects for meaningful change.


Social Science for What?

Social Science for What?

Author: Mark Solovey

Publisher: MIT Press

Published: 2020-07-07

Total Pages: 409

ISBN-13: 0262358751

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How the NSF became an important yet controversial patron for the social sciences, influencing debates over their scientific status and social relevance. In the early Cold War years, the U.S. government established the National Science Foundation (NSF), a civilian agency that soon became widely known for its dedication to supporting first-rate science. The agency's 1950 enabling legislation made no mention of the social sciences, although it included a vague reference to "other sciences." Nevertheless, as Mark Solovey shows in this book, the NSF also soon became a major--albeit controversial--source of public funding for them.


Book Synopsis Social Science for What? by : Mark Solovey

Download or read book Social Science for What? written by Mark Solovey and published by MIT Press. This book was released on 2020-07-07 with total page 409 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How the NSF became an important yet controversial patron for the social sciences, influencing debates over their scientific status and social relevance. In the early Cold War years, the U.S. government established the National Science Foundation (NSF), a civilian agency that soon became widely known for its dedication to supporting first-rate science. The agency's 1950 enabling legislation made no mention of the social sciences, although it included a vague reference to "other sciences." Nevertheless, as Mark Solovey shows in this book, the NSF also soon became a major--albeit controversial--source of public funding for them.