Qualitative Scientific Modeling and Loop Analysis
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10706104 |
|---|---|
| Authors | James Justus (The University of Texas at Austin, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2005 |
| Volume | 72 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 1272-1286 |
| Publication date | 2005-12-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Philosophy of Science (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1086/508099 |
| OpenAlex | W2114518726 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
| References cited | 11 |
Loop analysis is a method of qualitative modeling anticipated by Sewall Wright (1921) and systematically developed by Richard Levins. In Levins’ (1966) distinctions between modeling strategies, loop analysis sacrifices precision for generality and realism. Besides criticizing the clarity of these distinctions, Orzack and Sober (1993) argued qualitative modeling is conceptually and methodologically problematic. Loop analysis of the stability of ecological communities shows this criticism is unjustified. It presupposes an overly narrow view of qualitative modeling and underestimates the broad role models play in scientific research, especially in helping scientists represent and understand complex systems
Biology · CLARITY · Criticism · Epistemology · Generality · Loop (graph theory) · Management science · Qualitative analysis · Qualitative research · Realism · Social science · Sociology · Stability (learning theory) · Wright · Computer Science · Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies · Engineering · Law · Mathematics · Philosophy · Psychology · Sustainability and Ecological Systems Analysis
Evolution in Changing Environments
Equilibrium explanation
A Critical Assessment of Levins's The Strategy of Model Building in Population Biology (1966)
Simulations, Models, and Theories
Scientific Explanation and the Sense of Understanding
Complex Systems, Trade-Offs, and Theoretical Population Biology
Qualitative Theory and Chemical Explanation
Correlation and Causation
Social Choice and Multicriterion Decision-Making
| Citations per year | 0.21 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2007 - 2025 (19) |
| Highly cited | No |