Methods and Instruments in the Study of Meaning-Making

This volume develops a theoretical framework for modelling meaning-making and cultural processes in contemporary complex societies, focusing on methodological and empirical aspects for policymaking and social phenomena understanding. It covers culture-based segmentation, survey instruments, discourse flow analysis, and measurement, and discusses cultural analysis in health and education contexts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This comprehensive volume offers a theoretical framework for the modelling of meaning-making and cultural processes, which are essential to the scientific study of contemporary complex societies. It delves into the methodological and empirical aspects of analyzing culture and its dynamics, with applications in policymaking and understanding social phenomena. The book covers various topics such as culture-based segmentation, the development of survey instruments like the VOC and PROSERV questionnaires, discourse flow analysis, the measurement of homogenization of classification functions, and more. Additionally, it provides a detailed discussion of the methodology of cultural analysis in contexts of health and education.

The volume adopts a multifaceted approach, incorporating quantitative methods and automated or semi-automated procedures, while simultaneously supporting a hermeneutic, bottom-up, abductive approach that emphasizes the situated dynamics of meaning-making. It draws insights from cultural studies, social statistics, social policy, and research methodology in the social sciences. This resource is invaluable for academics engaged in studying cultural dynamics, as well as policy-oriented researchers and decision-makers who are interested in the cultural dimensions of designing, implementing, and evaluating public policies.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031219948
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023