Secondary analysis in the social sciences and its relation to futures studies
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show the importance of secondary analysis to social sciences and to futures studies, both for research and teaching purposes.
Design/methodology/approach
An illustration of the main characteristics of secondary analysis, presenting it as a theory-driven activity where the definition of the research design plays a fundamental role.
Findings
This paper extends the secondary analysis approach to the study of the future. The utility of secondary analysis for futures studies is illustrated by means of the presentation of two examples developed in the field of the sociology of religion.
Originality/value
The results are useful for those who want to develop sound and robust approaches to the study of social change, taking into consideration the simulation of possible future scenarios.
Keywords
Citation
Vezzoni, C. (2015), "Secondary analysis in the social sciences and its relation to futures studies", On the Horizon, Vol. 23 No. 2, pp. 128-139. https://doi.org/10.1108/OTH-02-2015-0006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited