Publication
Title
The Niche Hiker's guide to population ecology: a logical recontruction of organization ecology's niche theory
Author
Abstract
Logical formalization is a formal method for the analysis of theoretical arguments in the social sciences. Hannan and Freemans organizational niche theory (1989) is rebuilt by means of First- Order Logic, and its predictions are derived as theorems. Translation into a formal language makes the theorys inference structure transparent and accessible to discussion, repair, and development. The consistency of the model can be checked by computational means. The logical approach helps to specify niche theorys domain; it points out hidden assumptions, highlights spots where the reasoning has to be modified, and provides solid foundations for further theory building. Moreover, the established premise set also allows for the deduction of some new results. Logical formalization supports empirical research by delineating constraints on and explicit relations between sociological concepts, facilitating their appropriate operationalization
Language
English
Source (journal)
Sociological methodology / American Sociological Association. - San Francisco, Calif.
Publication
San Francisco, Calif. : 1997
ISSN
0081-1750 [print]
1467-9531 [online]
Volume/pages
27 :1 (1997) , p. 1-46
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.04.2009
Last edited 04.03.2024
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