Universität zu Köln

Thaller, Manfred (2017). Approximate Precision. Theoretic Foundations and Practical Possibilities for the Definition of Historical Sources as Products of 'Fuzzy' Systems (Reprinted from Historical Social Research pg 77-100, 1984). Hist. Soc. Res.. S. 138 - 160. COLOGNE: GESIS LEIBNIZ INST SOCIAL SCIENCES. ISSN 0172-6404

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Abstract

The distrust many historians show when confronted with the results of quantitative studies is partially related to the experience, that many decisions which go into the preparation of historical sources for quantitative analysis are much more definite and final than the many uncertainties surrounding the meaning of terminology and statements in such sources actually justify. This is correct, but it is directed at the current stage of statistical studies, not at the nature of quantitative or formal reasoning as such. Fuzzy logic and fuzzy systems provide approaches, which could be harnessed to adapt statistical reasoning to the inherent uncertainties of historical data. The paper outlines the way in which this could be implemented with the help of examples drawn from the applications of statistics to social history.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Thaller, Manfred UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-245147
DOI:	10.12759/hsr.suppl.29.2017.138-159
Journal or Publication Title:	Hist. Soc. Res.
Page Range:	S. 138 - 160
Date:	2017
Publisher:	GESIS LEIBNIZ INST SOCIAL SCIENCES
Place of Publication:	COLOGNE
ISSN:	0172-6404
Language:	German
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language History; History Of Social Sciences; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Multiple languages
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/24514