Social Science: A Very Short Introduction

About this book

Social science is the study of human behaviour. It offers the tools to understand and explain people's choices and actions, and how they live together in communities. With insights from social science, organisations and individuals may be persuaded to change their behaviour, making a difference in addressing societal challenges, from climate change to fighting pandemics and alleviating poverty. Social science can offer us the answers to key questions, such as why do some people gamble, eat unhealthy foods, or hold racist beliefs? How do families allocate household tasks, raise children effectively, or manage grief? How do companies weigh profit against environmental sustainability, decide to invest in innovation, or adopt policies to address unequal pay between women and men? Why do countries sign international treaties, commit human rights atrocities, or transition from authoritarianism to democracy?

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, this Very Short Introduction offers an accessible overview of social science, explaining how methods and theory from different disciplines can be applied and combined to address major global challenges. It aims to equip students, scholars, and practitioners to analyse, interpret, and undertake social science research. Drawing upon inspiring examples, it shows how social scientists can have a real-world impact and change the world for the better. It unpacks cutting-edge themes such as behavioural science, human data science, and the ways in which social science can work collaboratively with the natural sciences and humanities. It offers a vision for the future of social science that is interdisciplinary, inclusive, and impactful.

Contents

Acknowledgements
1. What is Social Science?
2. Doing Social Science
3. Theories and Concepts
4. Methods and Methodologies
5. How Social Science Can Change the World
6. The Future of Social Science
References
Further Reading

Customer Reviews

Biography

Alexander Betts is Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs at the University of Oxford. He was the Associate Head of the Social Sciences Division. He is an interdisciplinary social scientist whose research focuses on refugees and migration. His books include The Wealth of Refugees: How Displaced People Can Build Economies (Oxford University Press, 2021). He was awarded the Economic and Social Research Council's Outstanding International Impact Prize, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Science.