Social Experiments

Larry L. Orr; Rebecca A. Maynard

doi:10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.10567-7

Social Experiments

Larry L. Orr, Rebecca A. Maynard

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

This article provides the foundation for understanding social experiments and why it is valuable to conduct them. (For a more detailed discussion of most of the topics included in this article, see Orr (1999).) It begins by defining the term and discussing the rationale for using experimental methods to evaluate social policies, practices, and programs. It then discusses the design and analysis of social experiments, and the issues of internal and external validity of social experiments. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the ethics of such studies and an historical perspective on social experimentation.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences: Second Edition
Publisher	Elsevier Inc.
Pages	291-300
Number of pages	10
ISBN (Electronic)	9780080970875
ISBN (Print)	9780080970868
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.10567-7
State	Published - Mar 26 2015
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Comparison group
Control group
Counterfactual
External validity
Health insurance experiment
Internal validity
Minimum detectable effects
Negative income tax experiments
Pre"post design
Random assignment
Randomized controlled trial
Selection bias
Social experiment
Treatment group

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Social Sciences

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10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.10567-7

Cite this

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AB - This article provides the foundation for understanding social experiments and why it is valuable to conduct them. (For a more detailed discussion of most of the topics included in this article, see Orr (1999).) It begins by defining the term and discussing the rationale for using experimental methods to evaluate social policies, practices, and programs. It then discusses the design and analysis of social experiments, and the issues of internal and external validity of social experiments. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the ethics of such studies and an historical perspective on social experimentation.

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KW - Control group

KW - Counterfactual

KW - External validity

KW - Health insurance experiment

KW - Internal validity

KW - Minimum detectable effects

KW - Negative income tax experiments

KW - Pre"post design

KW - Random assignment

KW - Randomized controlled trial

KW - Selection bias

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KW - Treatment group

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ER -

Social Experiments

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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