Теоретико-множественият подход в социологическите изследвания: състояние и перспективи
The Set-Theoretic Approach in Social Research: Its State and Outlooks

Summary/Abstract: The article presents a review of the generation and development of Fuzzy Set Theory as an alternative research instrument in social sciences and, respectively, in sociology. Some major elements of this approach are explained, and its advantages in comparison with conventional statistical methods are emphasized. Two main directions of development are outlined: methodological enrichment for more effective application in social analyses, and convergence with the standard apparatus of mathematical statistics. Some examples of application of Fuzzy Set Theory in social studies and analyses are reviewed, such as community profiling, identification of specific consumer practices, study of Global Civil Society, large households data structuring, investigation of human capital and the labour market, poverty reduction study, etc. The conclusion is drawn that the set-theoretic approach based on Fuzzy Set Theory has great heuristic potential, serving as an effective research instrument in modern sociology; as such it has a capacity for further development and improvement.

• Details
• Contents