This book is a presentation of my recent research work into the theory
and applications of mathematical relations between finite sets. The
consequent results and concepts are expressed in 'conjunction' with the
idea of a union of simplicial complexes and the algorithms and overall
methodology have become known as Q-Analysis. The mathematical ideas are
essentially comhinatorial and are developed in Section-A of the book,
whilst Section-R contains an application to a community study (that of
the IJniversity of Rssex). All of the work has been published elsewhere,
in the usual form of papers, and a comprehensive introduction to the
whole approach will be found in my earlier book, Mathematical Structure
in Human Affairs (Heinemann, London 1974). Much of the research work
referred to in this present hook would not have been possible without
the co-operation of my research team, of whom I would particularly like
to thank J.II. Johnson, and its puhlication owes a lot to the
secretarial help provided by Iary Low. R.H. Atkin IJniversity of Rssex
U.K.