Terms of Inquiry: On the Theory and Practice of Political Science

Reference & Research Book News, August, 2005

JA71

2004-019607

0-8018-8084-X

Terms of inquiry; on the theory and practice of political science.

Davis, James W.

Johns Hopkins U. Press, [c]2005

280 p.

$45.00

A political scientist specializing in international relations, Davis has become increasingly skeptical about claims made by proponents of the scientific method in general and especially as they apply it to the social sciences. In five essays, he analyzes the central claims or assumptions of the scientific method. Though most of the examples come from political science, he says the implications of his argument extends to most if not all of the social sciences.