Fairweather / Tornatzky / Goldstein Experimental Methods for Social Policy Research

Pergamon International Library of Science, Technology, Engineering and Social Studies
1. Auflage 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4831-4652-2
Verlag: Elsevier Science & Techn.
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, 432 Seiten, Web PDF

Experimental Methods for Social Policy Research explains how experimental methods can be used in social policy research to help solve contemporary human problems and to preserve and improve the world's physical and social climates. This book argues that scientists can make a major contribution to the solution of social problems by aiding the society in incorporating scientific methods into the social decision-making process. Two principal methods required for solving social problems are highlighted: methods for evaluating social models aimed at solving particular problems, and methods for disseminating those models that are beneficial to the state, the region, and the nation. This book is comprised of 14 chapters and begins with the argument that contemporary social policy decision making is inadequate for the late 20th and 21st centuries. It then defines the basic ingredients for an adequate social policy decision-making apparatus and explains how it can be accomplished. The next chapter outlines the basic parameters of social models and dissemination processes from a conceptual point of view. The remaining chapters describe general experimental procedures from the inception of the ideas to the implementation of social models found to be beneficial. The final chapter is reserved for a discussion of a proposed center for experimental social innovation that would provide research and training. This monograph will be a valuable resource for social scientists and researchers as well as social policymakers, public officials, and citizens who are committed to the improvement of living conditions for all members of society.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Fairweather, George W.

Tornatzky, Louis G.

Goldstein, Arnold P.

Krasner, Leonard

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Front Cover;1
2;Experimental Methods For Social Policy Research;4
3;Copyright Page;5
4;Table of Contents;6
5;Preface;8
6;CHAPTER 1. The Basic Ingredients of an Adequate Social Policy;12
6.1;BARRIERS TO ENLIGHTENED SOCIAL POLICY DECISION MAKING;13
6.2;THE UNDERLYING PARAMETERS OF AN ENLIGHTENED SOCIAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS;20
7;CHAPTER 2. Integrating Science into Social Policy Decisions: Experimental Social Innovation;34
7.1;A REVIEW OF SOCIAL SCIENCE METHODS OF INQUIRY;34
7.2;TOWARD AN INTEGRATIVE MODEL: EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL INNOVATION;38
7.3;A WORKING EXAMPLE;43
8;CHAPTER 3. The Parameters of Social Models and Dissemination;56
8.1;SOCIAL MODELS;57
8.2;DISSEMINATION;81
9;CHAPTER 4. Defining the Social Problem and Planning its Solution;92
9.1;THE PROCESS OF PROBLEM DEFINITION;93
9.2;THE CONCEPTUAL PROCESS OF CREATING PROBLEM SOLVING MODELS;98
9.3;THE MODEL-BUILDING PROCESS;102
9.4;PROBLEM DEFINITION AND SOLUTION FORMULATION IN DISSEMINATION RESEARCH;107
10;CHAPTER 5. Forming the Research Team;112
10.1;INTEGRATING RESEARCH AND SERVICE;112
10.2;MAINTAINING A MULTIDISCIPLINARY EFFORT;115
10.3;MAINTAINING ROLE CLARITY AND FLEXIBILITY;120
10.4;BUILDING COHESIVENESS AND COMMITMENT;122
10.5;A WORKING EXAMPLE;126
10.6;A NOTE ON DISSEMINATION RESEARCH;131
11;CHAPTER 6. Obtaining Administrative Agreements;134
11.1;THE DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENTS;134
11.2;METHODS FOR OBTAINING ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENTS;143
11.3;EXAMPLES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENTS;148
11.4;DISSEMINATION EXPERIMENTS;156
11.5;IN CASE OF FAILURE;158
11.6;MAINTAINING ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENTS;159
12;CHAPTER 7. Selecting the Research Conditions and Making Them Comparable;160
12.1;SOCIAL MODELS;160
12.2;DISSEMINATION RESEARCH;175
13;CHAPTER 8. Defining the Population and Obtaining the Sample;180
13.1;SOCIAL MODELS;180
14;CHAPTER 9. Measuring the Important Parameters;212
14.1;INSTRUMENT CONSTRUCTION AND USE;212
14.2;MEASURING OUTCOMES;220
14.3;MEASURING PARTICIPANT CHARACTERISTICS;223
14.4;MEASURING THE SOCIAL SITUATION;224
14.5;PROCEDURES FOR MEASURING THE IMPORTANT VARIABLES;225
14.6;EXAMPLES;235
15;CHAPTER 10. Administering the Research Program;258
15.1;SOCIAL MODELS;258
15.2;DISSEMINATION;280
16;CHAPTER 11. Comparing the Experimental Conditions;288
16.1;NARRATIVE-DESCRIPTIVE TECHNIQUE;288
16.2;GRAPHICAL TECHNIQUES;292
16.3;STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES;295
16.4;EXAMPLES FROM SOCIAL MODEL AND DIFFUSION EXPERIMENTS;308
17;CHAPTER 12. Understanding the Social Processes;328
17.1;CORRELATIONS;329
17.2;FACTOR AND CLUSTER ANALYSES;333
17.3;THE USE OF ASSOCIATIVE TECHNIQUES;336
18;CHAPTER 13. Permissible Inferences and Publication;354
18.1;INFERENCES;355
18.2;PUBLICATION;388
18.3;THE NEXT EXPERIMENT;390
19;CHAPTER 14. An Institutional Context for Research and Training: The Centerfor Experimental Social Innovation;392
19.1;PROBLEM OF INSTITUTIONALIZING EXPERIMENTAL SOCIAL INNOVATION;392
19.2;LOCATION OF AN ESI CENTER;395
19.3;INTERNAL ORGANIZATION AND STAFFING OF THE RESEARCH CENTER;404
19.4;THE SPECIAL PROBLEM OF TRAINING;407
19.5;IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSED CENTER FOR THE STRUCTURE OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY;409
20;References;414
21;Index;426
22;TITLES IN THE PERGAMON GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY SERIES (Continued);432