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Palgrave Macmillan

Rules for Scientific Research in Economics

The Alpha-Beta Method

  • Book
  • © 2016

Overview

Authors:
  1. Adolfo Figueroa

    1. Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru

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  • Solves the falsification problem in economics
  • Presents a scientific research method applicable to all social sciences
  • Alpha-beta method enhances learning, teaching, and researching in economics

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xix
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  2. Science Is Epistemology

    • Adolfo Figueroa
    Pages 1-14

  3. Alpha-Beta: A Scientific Research Method

    • Adolfo Figueroa
    Pages 15-28

  4. The Economic Process

    • Adolfo Figueroa
    Pages 29-45

  5. The Alpha-Beta Method in Economics

    • Adolfo Figueroa
    Pages 47-61

  6. Falsifying Economic Theories (I)

    • Adolfo Figueroa
    Pages 63-72

  7. Falsifying Economic Theories (II)

    • Adolfo Figueroa
    Pages 73-97

  8. The Alpha-Beta Method and Other Methods

    • Adolfo Figueroa
    Pages 99-116

  9. Fallacies in Scientific Argumentation

    • Adolfo Figueroa
    Pages 117-127

  10. Comparing Economics and Natural Sciences

    • Adolfo Figueroa
    Pages 129-143

  11. Conclusions

    • Adolfo Figueroa
    Pages 145-149

  12. Back Matter

    Pages 151-159
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Keywords

About this book

The new research method presented in this book ensures that all economic theories are falsifiable and that irrefutable theories are scientifically sound. Figueroa combines the logically consistent aspects of Popperian and process epistemologies in his alpha-beta method to address the widespread problem of too-general empirical research methods used in economics. He argues that scientific rules can be applied to economics to make sense of society, but that they must address the complexity of reality as well as the simplicity of the abstract on which hard sciences can rely. Furthermore, because the alpha-beta method combines approaches to address the difficulties of scientifically analyzing complex society, it also extends to other social sciences that have historically relied on empirical methods. This groundbreaking Pivot is ideal for students and researchers dedicated to promoting the progress of scientific research in all social sciences.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, Lima, Peru

    Adolfo Figueroa

About the author

Adolfo Figueroa is Professor Emeritus of Economics of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. He has taught and participated in collaborative research in American and British universities. He received his PhD in Economics from Vanderbilt University, USA in 1972. He studied there under the influence and guidance of Professor Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, the famous bio-economist. 

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