Variables, Mechanisms, and Simulations : Can the Three Methods Be Synthesized ?

Abstract

This article offers a critical analysis of four contemporary sociological debates. Systematic analysis of the relevant literature suggests the existence of a project for reformulating the methodological foundations of empirical quantitative sociology. This reconstruction shows the emergence of the following idea: an alliance of variable analysis, mechanism methodology, and simulation techniques would be of great help in resolving some of the impasses that "standard" empirical quantitative sociology encounters. This thesis is then tested for quantitative sociology of social stratification: where there are "irrefutable signs" that the idea is becoming acceptable. Lastly, a link is established between these recent debates and older, similar proposals for resolving the problem, and the question of why the soundness of these proposals has only recently been recognized is examined.

Agent-Based Models in Empirical Social Research

“… 1 A few notable exceptions include Hedström and Åberg’s (2005) “Empirically Calibrated Agent-Based Models” (ECA); Manzo’s (2007) discussion of the role of agent-based modeling in theoretically engaged, quantitative research; and Boero and Squazzoni’s (2005) discussion of the role of empirical data into agent-based models. …”

Representing Micro–Macro Linkages by Actor-based Dynamic Network Models

“…Our approach further uses ideas from agent-based modeling by focusing on emergent properties as criteria for model fit; and it uses statistical ideas in its way of estimating free parameters in the model and attempting to obtain a model fitting well to the empirical data set. In this way, we hope to contribute to the stream in the literature on agent-based modeling that stresses the need for calibration of agent-based models to selected features of real-world data (Boero and Squazzoni, 2005; Moss, 2008), in particular to the combination described by Manzo (2007, p. 56) (also see Hedström and Bearman, 2009) as ‘describe by means of variables → explain by means of mechanisms → formalize by means of simulations’. More generally, we champion a combination of theoretical and statistical approaches in the study of real-life complex systems, and hope that readers will see some merit in our contribution.…”

Dialética, Complexidade e a Abordagem Sistêmica: por uma Reconciliação Crítica

“…É até mesmo dito que por causa de suas interconectividades, todos são "Um", um elemento importante de sensibilidade mística que afirma a nossa "Unicidade" com o Universo. 39 Para alguns trabalhos relevadores, veja Balog e Cyba (2004), Mayntz (2004), Hedström (2005), Cherkaoui (2005), Kron (2005), Bunge (2004a;2004b;2006a, 119-44, 175-78), Schmitt et al (2006), Schmid (2006), Manzo (2007), Hedström e Bearman (2009), Kron e Grund (2010), Hedström e Ylikoski (2010), Little (2010), Smith (2010, 277-314), Demeulenaere (2011), Wan (2011, 161-69;2012). Lewontin (1992, 15;veja também 2000, passim) também mantêm que a visão de mundo holística é "simplesmente outra forma de misticismo".…”