Using Complexity Theory for Research and Program Evaluation by Michael Wolf-Bran

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Complexity theory provides a promising framework for conducting social work research and evaluation. Readers will gain an understanding of the background, current applications, and agent-based modeling as a new approach for creating simulations. To advance this line of inquiry a complexity research agenda for social work is developed.

FORMATPaperback LANGUAGEEnglish CONDITIONBrand New Publisher Description

Complexity as a paradigm has been underutilized by social work, but this cutting-edge pocket guide makes a convincing argument for its use. Every agency worker has been faced with a deluge of records, making it difficult to grasp onto structures and trends undergirding behavior. Complexity theory studies the interactions of competitive and cooperative tendencies of agents such as individuals, families, groups, or communities, making the case that there is a hidden order in things that are seemingly chaotic. Exploring their interactions involves identifying a set of simple rules that the agents follow, revealing patterns that emerge without a predetermined template.Readers will learn how to frame their research using the components found in complex systems by using their existing knowledge of research methods and applying basic mathematical concepts. Concepts such as bordering between chaos and equilibrium, diverse perspectives, diverse heuristics, robustness, and wisdom of crowds are considered and applied to social work research studies. Basic introductions on game theory, graph theory, Boolean logic, decision theory, and network science provide the necessary mathematical background for understanding interconnectedness and networking.The next part of the book is a hands-on guide to the agent-based modeling software NetLogo. By inputting initial parameters and rules, the outputted models provide valuable information for visualizing unintended consequences, including how conflict can foster cooperation and how threats to a social network can improve the network's robustness and resiliency. The result is both a user-friendly introduction to using complexity theory in a socio-environmental context and a framework that provides an overarching structure for investigating process, outcomes, and the collective behavior of groups.

Author Biography

Michael Wolf-Branigin, PhD, is Associate Professor of Social Work at George Mason University.

Table of Contents

Preface ; 1. Introduction: The History and Theory of Complexity ; 2. Framing Social Services as Complex Systems ; 3. Research and Evaluation Methods for Complexity ; 4. Shifting from a Metaphorical to a Mathematical Approach ; 5. Social Work Applications of Complexity ; 6. Introduction to Agent-based Modeling ; 7. Developing Agent-based Models ; 8. Concluding Remarks and Proposed Research Agenda ; Appendix A. Code for Example One ; Appendix B. Code for Example Two ; Appendix C. Example of an Agent-Based Model Report ; Appendix D. Additional Resources ; Glossary ; Notes ; References ; Index

Promotional

Readers will learn how to frame their research using the components found in complex systems by using their existing knowledge of research methods and applying basic mathematical concepts.

Long Description

Complexity as a paradigm has been underutilized by social work, but this cutting-edge pocket guide makes a convincing argument for its use. Every agency worker has been faced with a deluge of records, making it difficult to grasp onto structures and trends undergirding behavior. Complexity theory studies the interactions of competitive and cooperative tendencies of agents such as individuals, families, groups, or communities, making the case that there is a hiddenorder in things that are seemingly chaotic. Exploring their interactions involves identifying a set of simple rules that the agents follow, revealing patterns that emerge without a predetermined template.Readers will learn how to frame their research using the components found in complex systems by using their existing knowledge of research methods and applying basic mathematical concepts. Concepts such as bordering between chaos and equilibrium, diverse perspectives, diverse heuristics, robustness, and wisdom of crowds are considered and applied to social work research studies. Basic introductions on game theory, graph theory, Boolean logic, decision theory, and network science provide thenecessary mathematical background for understanding interconnectedness and networking.The next part of the book is a hands-on guide to the agent-based modeling software NetLogo. By inputting initial parameters and rules, the outputted models provide valuable information for visualizing unintended consequences, including how conflict can foster cooperation and how threats to a social network can improve the network's robustness and resiliency. The result is both a user-friendly introduction to using complexity theory in a socio-environmental context and a framework that providesan overarching structure for investigating process, outcomes, and the collective behavior of groups.

Details ISBN0199829462 Author Michael Wolf-Branigin Short Title USING COMPLEXITY THEORY FOR RE Series Pocket Guides to Social Work Research Methods Language English ISBN-10 0199829462 ISBN-13 9780199829460 Media Book Format Paperback Year 2013 Publication Date 2013-03-07 Position Director Imprint Oxford University Press Inc Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Affiliation Professor of English, Mars Hill College UK Release Date 2013-03-07 AU Release Date 2013-03-07 NZ Release Date 2013-03-07 US Release Date 2013-03-07 Death 1937 Edited by Noel J. Kinnamon Birth 1955 Qualifications QC Pages 212 Publisher Oxford University Press Inc DEWEY 361.3072 Illustrations 8 line-cuts and 9 half-tones Audience Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly We've got this

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