25.028 - Robert Linn Distinguished Award Address. Data in the Social Sciences: It's Time for Some Respect

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

The social science literature is studded with inferential claims that are suspect when viewed in light of the provenance and characteristics of the data, the underlying model assumptions, and the statistical procedures employed. In analogy with the biological concept of the carrying capacity of an environment, I introduce the notion of the carrying capacity of data (CCD) as a way to focus attention on the importance of addressing more directly the limitations to making credible inferences in particular settings. Importantly, the CCD is not fixed but depends on the purpose of the analysis and can be enhanced by the availability of auxiliary information or methodological innovations. CCD will be illustrated with selected examples and I suggest directions for further efforts.

Sub Unit

• Division D - Measurement and Research Methodologies / Division D - Measurement and Research Methodology

Chair

• Mark R. Wilson, University of California - Berkeley

Presenter

• Henry I. Braun, Boston College

Discussants

• John R Lockwood, Educational Testing Service

• Spyros Konstantopoulos, Michigan State University