Attitudes and methods derived from the hard sciences have become increasingly commonplace in the human and social sciences. Whilst this 'scientifization' process has undoubtedly fostered the growth of knowledge within history and economics, these are disciplines where verification, as practised in the pure sciences, is not appropriate. This book, first published in 1991, argues constructively for a new interpretation of scientific verification within economics and history.

Attitudes and methods derived from the hard sciences have become increasingly commonplace in the human and social sciences. Whilst this 'scientifization' process has undoubtedly fostered the growth of knowledge within history and economics, these are disciplines where verification, as practised in the pure sciences, is not appropriate. This book, first published in 1991, argues constructively for a new interpretation of scientific verification within economics and history.