A Handbook for Data Analysis in the Behaviorial Sciences
A Handbook for Data Analysis in the Behaviorial Sciences

Author: Gideon Keren

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 2014-01-14

Total Pages: 649

ISBN-13: 1317759974

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Statistical methodology is often conceived by social scientists in a technical manner; they use it for support rather than for illumination. This two-volume set attempts to provide some partial remedy to the problems that have led to this state of affairs. Both traditional issues, such as analysis of variance and the general linear model, as well as more novel methods like exploratory data analysis, are included. The editors aim to provide an updated survey on different aspects of empirical research and data analysis, facilitate the understanding of the internal logic underlying different methods, and provide novel and broader perspectives beyond what is usually covered in traditional curricula.

The Problem with Survey Research
The Problem with Survey Research

Author: George Beam

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-09-08

Total Pages: 243

ISBN-13: 1351476254

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The Problem with Survey Research makes a case against survey research as a primary source of reliable information. George Beam argues that all survey research instruments, all types of asking-including polls, face-to-face interviews, and focus groups-produce unreliable and potentially inaccurate results. Because those who rely on survey research only see answers to questions, it is impossible for them, or anyone else, to evaluate the results. They cannot know if the answers correspond to respondents' actual behaviors (objective phenomena) or to their true beliefs and opinions (subjective phenomena). Reliable information can only be acquired by observation, experimentation, multiple sources of data, formal model building and testing, document analysis, and comparison. In fifteen chapters divided into six parts-Ubiquity of Survey Research, The Problem, Asking Instruments, Asking Settings, Askers, and Proper Methods and Research Designs-The Problem with Survey Research demonstrates how asking instruments, settings in which asking and answering take place, and survey researchers themselves skew results and thereby make answers unreliable. The last two chapters and appendices examine observation, other methods of data collection and research designs that may produce accurate or correct information, and shows how reliance on survey research can be overcome, and must be.