Chaos and complexity are the new buzz words in both science and in contemporary society. The ideas they represent have enormous implications for the way we understand and engage with the world. Complexity Theory in the Social Sciences introduces the central ideas which surround the chaos/complexity theories, discussing key concepts and using them to investigate the nature of social research. By applying them to such familiar topics as urban studies, education and health, this book allows readers new to the subject to appreciate the contribution which complexity theory can make to social research and to illuminating the crucial social issues of our day.