Making Social Science Matter Why Social Inquiry Fails and How it Can Succeed Again

Making Social Science Matter presents an exciting new approach to social science, including theoretical argument, methodological guidelines, and examples of practical application. Why has social science failed in attempts to emulate natural science and produce normal theory? Bent Flyvbjerg argues that the strength of social science is in its rich, reflexive analysis of values and power, essential to the social and economic development of any society. Richly informed, powerfully argued, and clearly written, this book provides essential reading for all those in the social and behavioral sciences.

Making Social Science Matter presents an exciting new approach to the social and behavioral sciences including theoretical argument, methodological guidelines, and examples of practical application. Why has social science failed in attempts to emulate natural science and produce normal theory? Bent Flyvbjerg argues that the strength of social sciences lies in its rich, reflexive analysis of values and power, essential to the social and economic development of any society. Richly informed, powerfully argued, and clearly written, this book opens up a new future for the social sciences. Its empowering message will make it required reading for students and academics across the social and behavioral sciences.

1. The science wars: a way out; Part I. Why Social Science has Failed as Science: 2. Rationality, body, and intuition in human learning; 3. Is theory possible in social science?; 4. Context counts; Part II. How Social Science Can Matter Again: 5. Values in social and political inquiry; 6. The power of example; 7. The significance of conflict and power to social science; 8. Empowering Aristotle; 9. Methodological guidelines for a reformed social science; 10. Examples and illustrations: narratives of value and power; 11. Social science that matters; Notes; Index.

Making Social Science Matter presents an exciting new approach to social and behavioral science, including theoretical argument, methodological guidelines, and practical examples. Bent Flyvbjerg shows why social science fails to emulate natural science. He then identifies the strength of social science in its rich, reflexive analysis of values and power.