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Empiricism and Theorizing in Epidemiology and Social Network Analysis
Joint Authors
Costenbader, Elizabeth
Rothenberg, Richard
Source
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases
Issue
Vol. 2011, Issue 2011 (31 Dec. 2011), pp.1-5, 5 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2010-11-25
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
5
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
The connection between theory and data is an iterative one.
In principle, each is informed by the other: data provide the basis for theory that in turn generates the need for new information.
This circularity is reflected in the notion of abduction, a concept that focuses on the space between induction (generating theory from data) and deduction (testing theory with data).
Einstein, in the 1920s, placed scientific creativity in that space.
In the field of social network analysis, some remarkable theory has been developed, accompanied by sophisticated tools to develop, extend, and test the theory.
At the same time, important empirical data have been generated that provide insight into transmission dynamics.
Unfortunately, the connection between them is often tenuous and the iterative loop is frayed.
This circumstance may arise both from data deficiencies and from the ease with which data can be created by simulation.
But for whatever reason, theory and empirical data often occupy different orbits.
Fortunately, the relationship, while frayed, is not broken, to which several recent analyses merging theory and extant data will attest.
Their further rapprochement in the field of social network analysis could provide the field with a more creative approach to experimentation and inference.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Rothenberg, Richard& Costenbader, Elizabeth. 2010. Empiricism and Theorizing in Epidemiology and Social Network Analysis. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases،Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-450360
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Rothenberg, Richard& Costenbader, Elizabeth. Empiricism and Theorizing in Epidemiology and Social Network Analysis. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases No. 2011 (2011), pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-450360
American Medical Association (AMA)
Rothenberg, Richard& Costenbader, Elizabeth. Empiricism and Theorizing in Epidemiology and Social Network Analysis. Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases. 2010. Vol. 2011, no. 2011, pp.1-5.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-450360
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-450360