European University Institute Library

Building experiments, testing social theory, David Willer, Henry A. Walker

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 143-149) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

Building experiments

bibliography

78789291

David Willer, Henry A. Walker

testing social theory

Building Experiments is the essential text for understanding experimental methods. In engaging style, the book shows how theory is employed in experimental design, how experiments test theory, and how proper design and use of experiments can advance the social sciences as explanatory sciences. The interactive nature of the text encourages students to hone their skills, building and running experiments while learning the underlying principles of theory and experimentation. The book addresses practical issues, ranging from the critical analysis of historically important experiments to understanding how to recruit subjects properly and protect their rights. Founding experiments in sociology are compared to founding experiments in physics to demonstrate fundamental cross-disciplinary similarities of theory, experiment, and scientific method. Finally, the book explains how experimental research and theory can be applied in historical and institutional studies. This book will be a key resource in social science methodology courses at all levels. --, Provided by publisher

What is an experiment? -- Theory and the scientific method -- Empirically driven experiments -- Theory-driven experiments -- Experiments as social relations -- The forms of controlled investigation