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CALL FOR CHAPTER PROPOSALS
HANDBOOK OF APPLIED SYSTEMS SCIENCE
Editor: Zachary Neal, Michigan State University ([email protected])
Publisher: Routledge (anticipated 2015)
Online CFP located here: http://www.msu.edu/~zpneal/handbook_cfp.pdf
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=== OVERVIEW ===
Systems science refers to a collection of approaches that combine
theory and methodology, including: network analysis, agent-based
modeling, and systems dynamics. These approaches are distinct from
other approaches in the natural and social sciences because they
reject typical assumptions of independence and individualism. Instead,
they focus explicitly on the role of relationships and interactions
among interdependent actors, broadly construed (e.g. people, but also
organizations, cities, etc.). Systems science has been developing for
several decades, growing in part out of early research on sociometry
in the 1930s and general systems theory in the 1950s, but only
recently has it begun to penetrate mainstream social scientific
research. This handbook will bring together examples of the
application of systems science methods and theories in a range of
social science fields. The goal is to provide a comprehensive portrait
of how systems science approaches can be applied to answer substantive
research questions in the social sciences.
=== SCOPE OF COVERAGE ===
The handbook will cover applications of three systems science
approaches in ten areas of social science:
System Science Approaches:
(a) Network analysis
(b) Agent-based modeling
(c) Systems dynamics
Social Science Areas (broadly construed):
(1) Sociology
(2) Public Health
(3) Criminology
(4) Geography
(5) Political Science
(6) Education
(7) Communications
(8) Environment & Sustainability
(9) Business & Economics
(10) Psychology
We aim to include at least one chapter describing the application of
each systems science approach in each area of social science (e.g. one
chapter on network analysis in sociology, another on agent-based
modeling in sociology, and a third on systems dynamics in sociology),
for a total of 30 core chapters.
=== SUBMISSION OF CHAPTER PROPOSALS ===
Proposals for chapters are invited from researchers applying any of
these systems science approaches in any of these areas of social
science. INTERESTED CONTRIBUTORS SHOULD EMAIL A 500-WORD ABSTRACT TO
THE EDITOR ([email protected]) NO LATER THAN 30 APRIL 2013.
=== GUIDELINES FOR PROPOSALS ===
-- Proposed chapters must focus on applications of systems science to
answer substantive research questions or provide policy-relevant
insights. Proposals focused primarily on systems science methodology
will not be considered.
-- Proposed chapters must be original and not published elsewhere, but
they may report results that have been published elsewhere.
Contributors are encouraged to consider opportunities to rewrite,
reframe, or otherwise repurpose existing articles or book chapters for
inclusion in this volume.
-- Complete manuscripts will be invited in June 2013 and due January
2014, and will be limited to 8000 words (approx. 30 double-spaced
pages).
-- Contributors will receive one complementary hardcover copy, and two
complementary paperback copies of the completed handbook.
--
Zachary Neal, Assistant Professor
Michigan State University
Department of Sociology & Global Urban Studies Program
316 Berkey Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
http://www.msu.edu/~zpneal
http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415881425/
http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415997270/
