Complex realism in social research
In recent years, both realism and complexity have begun to have methodological influence in social research. Yet for the most part, these have existed separately and have had limited impact on empirical research. In this article, we develop a theoretical argument for complex realism, grounded in an...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2017-12-01
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| Series: | Methodological Innovations |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/2059799116683564 |
| _version_ | 1828488446218338304 |
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| author | Malcolm Williams Wendy Dyer |
| author_facet | Malcolm Williams Wendy Dyer |
| author_sort | Malcolm Williams |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, both realism and complexity have begun to have methodological influence in social research. Yet for the most part, these have existed separately and have had limited impact on empirical research. In this article, we develop a theoretical argument for complex realism, grounded in an ontology of probability, that may be operationalised to demonstrate the reality of social change at a micro- and meso-level. We apply our conception of complex realism to an example using the method of longitudinal case–based cluster analysis to analyse the trajectories over time of male and female prisoners aged 18 and above who were at risk of self-harm. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T10:08:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-69e6f5fcb1c0406a92c36e956b15c5d0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2059-7991 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T10:08:33Z |
| publishDate | 2017-12-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Methodological Innovations |
| spelling | doaj.art-69e6f5fcb1c0406a92c36e956b15c5d02022-12-22T01:11:50ZengSAGE PublishingMethodological Innovations2059-79912017-12-011010.1177/2059799116683564Complex realism in social researchMalcolm Williams0Wendy Dyer1Cardiff University, Cardiff, UKNorthumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UKIn recent years, both realism and complexity have begun to have methodological influence in social research. Yet for the most part, these have existed separately and have had limited impact on empirical research. In this article, we develop a theoretical argument for complex realism, grounded in an ontology of probability, that may be operationalised to demonstrate the reality of social change at a micro- and meso-level. We apply our conception of complex realism to an example using the method of longitudinal case–based cluster analysis to analyse the trajectories over time of male and female prisoners aged 18 and above who were at risk of self-harm.https://doi.org/10.1177/2059799116683564 |
| spellingShingle | Malcolm Williams Wendy Dyer Complex realism in social research Methodological Innovations |
| title | Complex realism in social research |
| title_full | Complex realism in social research |
| title_fullStr | Complex realism in social research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Complex realism in social research |
| title_short | Complex realism in social research |
| title_sort | complex realism in social research |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/2059799116683564 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT malcolmwilliams complexrealisminsocialresearch AT wendydyer complexrealisminsocialresearch |