Field Experiments and Their Critics
Essays on the Uses and Abuses of Experimentation in the Social Sciences
Published on 7. January 2014
Book
Paperback/Softback
280 pages
978-0-300-16940-9 (ISBN)
Description
In recent years, social scientists have engaged in a deep debate over the methods appropriate to their research. Their long reliance on passive observational collection of information has been challenged by proponents of experimental methods designed to precisely infer causal effects through active intervention in the social world. Some scholars claim that field experiments represent a new gold standard and the best way forward, while others insist that these methods carry inherent inconsistencies, limitations, or ethical dilemmas that observational approaches do not. This unique collection of essays by the most influential figures on every side of this debate reveals its most important stakes and will provide useful guidance to students and scholars in many disciplines.
Reviews / Votes
"An excellent book on a subject that lies at the center of current methodological debates in the social sciences. The volume brings together many of the leading protagonists and antagonists (i.e., skeptics) of the experimental method and in the process illustrates the strengths, and the limitations, of this powerful method. Astute and readable. Highly recommended."-John Gerring, author of Social Science Methodology: A Unified Framework -- John Gerring "Advocates and critics of experimental methods debate vigorously in this exceptionally important set of essays. Neither scholars nor policy makers can remain aloof from this great debate; all will be rewarded by a close reading of this indispensable and engaging guide to the core questions of our discipline." - David Waldner, author of State Building and Late Development -- David WaldnerMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
1 b-w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
408 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-16940-9 (9780300169409)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Dawn Langan Teele is a Research Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science at Yale University