The Role of Systems Methodology in Social Science Research
by Roger E. Cavallo
1. Science and Scientism -- 1.1. The Social Sciences and the Analytical Method -- 1.2. Hucksterism in Economics -- 1.3. The Systems Paradigm and the Re-emphasis of Interaction -- 1.4. The Status of Mathematical Research -- 1.5. General Systems Methodology and Empirical Research -- 1.6. The Influence of Cybernetics -- 1.7. Lessons from the Situation in Physics -- 2. General Systems Methodology as Language -- 2.1. Thematic Influences on Knowledge -- 2.2. Methodological and Pragmatist Emphases -- 2.3. General Systems Research as a Methodological Language -- 3. Basic Concepts -- 3.1. Categorization and Uncertainty -- 3.2. Epistemological Levels -- 3.3. Primitive Concepts -- 3.4. System Traits -- 3.5. Basic System Types -- 3.6. Higher Level Systems -- 4. Generative Systems -- 4.1. Introduction -- 4.2. Representation of Source Systems -- 4.3. Representation of Data Systems -- 4.4. Definition of Mask -- 4.5. Choice of Best Mask, Sampling Scheme and Behavior System -- 5. Structure Systems -- 5.1. General Considerations -- 5.2. Definition of Structure -- 5.3. Structural Derivations -- 5.4. Separability in Design -- 5.5. Summary of Fundamental Concepts -- 6. GSPS -- I: An Organized Methodological Framework -- II: General Systems Problem Solving and the Study of Domestic Conflict -- Appendices -- References -- Indices.
