Project 3 Sum2012
Pick any story/analysis in the Freakonomics book (other than the topic of the two debates – no double-dipping here). For example, in Chapter 1, there's the cheating teachers story, the sumo wrestlers story, and the bagel story. Take any one of those, and critique it in terms of the research methods discussed in class.
Specifically, you must cover the following:
- State the hypothesis being tested.
- Identify the independent and dependent variables.
- Explain how the variables are operationally defined and critique the operational definitions.
- Discuss the validity of the operational definitions (both face validity and construct validity [including whether there is any construct validity])
- Discuss whether you think the operational definitions are reliable.
- Discuss the use of and/or need for a control group or control groups.
- Discuss whether the findings can be generalized from the sample used.
- Discuss the relative roles of tenacity, authority, reason, and common sense in either the notion Levitt is trying to test/refute or in the approach Levitt uses or in his conclusions.
- Indicate whether Levitt's approach (for the story you are considering) fits into the naturalistic observation, correlational approach, and/or experimental approach. It might not fit neatly into any one of these approaches. Explain your decision.
This paper should be NO MORE THAN 3 PAGES LONG and probably not less than 2.5 pages. It should be double-spaced, 12 point times, with 1-inch margins (top/bottom and left/right).
Email to guzdial@cc.gatech.edu BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF CLASS on Monday, July 16.
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