Lively Science: Remodeling Human Social Research

The Lively Science is a book by Michael Agar that challenges the traditional view of human science as a lab or a collection of random events. It offers a practical methodology for exploring and accounting for non-randomness in the social world, grounded in an approachable discussion of epistemology and drawing on new intellectual tools. The book is a valuable resource for researchers who seek to produce discoveries that are scientifically defensible and useful in the real world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 150 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The Lively Science is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of Michael Agar's unique perspective on human research. Written in an accessible and engaging style, the book challenges traditional notions of scientific inquiry and offers a fresh approach to understanding the complexities of the social world.

Agar begins by emphasizing that research on humans in their social context cannot be confined to the traditional scientific methods employed by Galileo and Newton. Instead, he proposes that the social world is a dynamic and complex system that cannot be reduced to a series of random events. The book provides a clear and concise roadmap for conducting scientific research in this realm, guiding researchers through the process of forming questions and answering them to uncover the underlying patterns and non-randomness that shape human behavior.

Throughout the book, Agar employs a wealth of engaging examples drawn from his extensive experience in applied and basic research. These examples serve to illustrate the practical applications of human science research and demonstrate how discoveries can be made that are both scientifically valid and useful in the real world. By blending epistemology, complexity theory, disaster research, and conversational analysis, Agar develops an innovative and practical methodology that is true to the realities and surprises of research by and about humans while still adhering to scientific standards of falsifiability, empiricism, logic, and systematic presentation of results.

The Lively Science is a testament to Michael Agar's visionary work in social science methodology. With a new foreword by Michael Brown, the book celebrates Agar's enormous contribution to the field and serves as a valuable resource for all researchers who seek to explore the full potential of a human social science. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or a newcomer to the field, this book will provide you with valuable insights and practical tools to enhance your understanding of the social world and advance your research endeavors.

Weight: 260g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367510930