Abstract #301032


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JSM 2002 Abstract #301032
Activity Number: 99
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Monday, August 12, 2002 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education*
Abstract - #301032
Title: Using Quantitative Data to Study Social Phenomena: Some Ignored Issues
Author(s): Stanley Lieberson*+
Affiliation(s): Harvard University
Address: 33 Kirkland Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138,
Keywords: True experiments ; social research ; statistical estimates ; design problems
Abstract:

Social research is usually based on a statistical simulation of what would occur if a true experiment was possible. By "true experiment," I mean one in which subjects (whether that be individuals or social groupings ranging from small groups to nation-states) are randomly-assigned to the conditions of interest. To achieve this aim with less than ideal data, a wide variety of statistical procedures are employed to provide appropriate estimates, and it is appropriate that their assumptions be examined closely. Less obvious are other difficulties that develop when analogues to the experimental models are based on natural science. Some of these are reviewed in this paper: the contamination problem, the assumption of causal symmetry, the level of analysis, the misuse of variance, and the use of control variables.


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