The social fabric matrix approach to policy analysis: An introduction

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the Social Fabric Matrix approach to policy analysis (SFM-A) as laid out in Hayden (2006). This chapter is better understood as a how to chapter rather than as a more traditional summary or discussion of the rest of the contributions in the volume. The chapter describes the foundations of the SFM-A approach in general systems theory and instrumentalist philosophy. It then describes the process of building an SFM, and presents extensions of the SFM-A to normative systems analysis, analysis of time and timeliness, quantitative modeling, and social indicators. The chapter concludes with a brief summary of the rest of the chapters. © 2009 Springer-Verlag New York.