Introduction

Abstract

What is Computational Social Science (CSS)? What are the main areas of this new, emerging field? What are the main assumptions and potential contributions of CSS? How does CSS differ from traditional social science disciplines? How does it differ from computer science? This chapter introduces the reader to the field of CSS, defined as the interdisciplinary conduct of social science research through an information processing and complex adaptive systems paradigm, using computation as the key enabling scientific methodology. After exploring the definition of CSS and the computational paradigm of society, the chapter provides examples of CSS investigations in basic and applied domains across the social sciences and areas of policy analysis. The concept of a complex adaptive system is introduced in the context of Herbert A. Simon's fundamental theory of artifacts, especially in terms of explaining the origin and development of social complexity and civilization---both ancient and contemporary. An overview of the main areas of CSS is provided, including computational content analysis, social networks, social complexity, and social simulation models. Each area of CSS is detailed in subsequent chapters. This chapter concludes with a historical overview of CSS to explain the scientific roots and main trends of the field.