
Social Science
A Very Short Introduction
Alexander Betts(Author)
Oxford University Press
Published on 28. November 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-0-19-287182-4 (ISBN)
Description
Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring
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 environment 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 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.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
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 environment 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 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.
ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Reviews / Votes
Betts (Univ. of Oxford, UK) delivers a clear, concise introduction to the theories, methods, and central tenets of the social sciences in this latest volume of Oxford's Very Short Introductions series. Betts excels in balancing specific examples with more sweeping overviews in order to accomplish his goals within a very strict word count. This book is appropriate for a general audience or lower-level undergraduates, particularly based on the care taken to define terms and explain research methods in an approachable way. Readers deciding on an area of study without knowledge of the social sciences will benefit the most from this title. * L. deLaubell, Choice *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 171 mm
Width: 107 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
140 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-287182-4 (9780192871824)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2024
1st Edition
OUP eBook
€9.49
Available for download
Person
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.
Author
Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs, University of Oxford
Content
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
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