Soft Computing Methods in Human Sciences

1. Front Matter

   Pages I-XV

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2. Towards Novel Methods in the Human Sciences

   • Vesa A. Niskanen

   Pages 1-13

3. Brief Introduction to Fuzzy Set Theory

   • Vesa A. Niskanen

   Pages 14-34

4. Concise Logopedics for SC Models

   • Vesa A. Niskanen

   Pages 35-48

5. The Approximate Truth about the Degrees of Truth

   • Vesa A. Niskanen

   Pages 49-62

6. Approximate Reasoning

   • Vesa A. Niskanen

   Pages 63-83

7. Quantitative Data Examination

   • Vesa A. Niskanen

   Pages 84-197

8. Soft Computing Models for Complex Systems

   • Vesa A. Niskanen

   Pages 198-236

9. Towards Soft Computing Applications in Qualitative Research

   • Vesa A. Niskanen

   Pages 237-248

10. Conclusions

    • Vesa A. Niskanen

    Pages 249-251

11. Back Matter

    Pages 252-272

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This book considers Soft Computing methods and their applications in the human sciences. Soft Computing methods - including fuzzy systems, neural networks, evolutionary computing and probabilistic reasoning - are state-of-the-art methods in theory formation and model construction. They mainly stem from the natural sciences, and they have already proved to be powerful in their applications because Soft Computing models, particularly fuzzy system models, are simple and correspond well to the actual world and to human reasoning. Hence, we no longer have to use the complicated mathematical models that have prevailed in this research area. Dozens of books and thousands of articles have been devoted to applications of Soft Computing in the natural sciences, but only a few studies have focused on its applications in the human sciences, such as the social and the behavioral sciences - this despite the fact that these novel methods seem to open a number of inspiring prospects in these disciplines. In quantitative research in the human sciences, typical application areas include statistical models that can be replaced by simpler numerical or linguistic Soft Computing models. In qualitative research, Soft Computing methods can enhance modelling because, instead of having to do manual work, we can use computer simulations with approximate and/or linguistic constituents.

• Computer
• Evolutionary Computing
• Fuzzy
• Fuzzy Systems
• Human Sciences
• Neural Networks
• Probabilistic Reasoning
• Simulation
• complex systems
• fuzzy set
• fuzzy system
• logic
• model
• set theory

From the reviews:

"Dr. Niskanens work opens new vistas in application of soft computing, fuzzy logic and fuzzy set theory to the human sciences. This book is likely to be viewed in retrospect as a landmark in its field" - Lotfi A. Zadeh, University of California, Berkeley.

"Niskanen … breaks new ground in soft computing, and his book is one of just a few studies that focus on soft computing methods and fuzzy logic with respect to applications in the human sciences, namely, the social and behavioral sciences. … Numerous figures and tables provide useful information throughout. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty." (D. J. Gougeon, CHOICE, April, 2004)

• Dept. of Economics and Management, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

  Vesa A. Niskanen

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