Unobtrusive Measures

Description

Thirty-five years ago, the four authors of this book addressed the problem of validity in social science research. This revised edition builds on the earlier version′s drive to justify novel techniques of survey and archival research. Richly illustrated throughout, the purpose of this book is to authorize and motivate ingenuity in obtaining information. The authors combine very different methods so that research results can withstand the `threats to validity′ which so frequently invalidate single-measure, conventional research. Cover CONTENTS Preface to the First Edition Introduction to the Classic Edition of Unobtrusive Measures 1. Approximations to Knowledge 2. Physical Traces: Erosion and Accretion 3. Archives I: The Running Record 4. Archives .II: The Episodic and Private Record 5. Simple Observation 6. Contrived Observation: Hidden Hardware and Control 7. A Final Note 8. A Statistician on Method 9. Cardinal Newman's Epitaph References Further Reading Index About the Authors