[lbo-talk] Query for sociologists and other social scientists

[Gar Lipow]

I was sent a study recently that consisted of firms who had taken
money for projects which they claimed would meet certain goals
voluntarily filling out a survey rating how well the completed
projects achieved those goals. The forms to obtain the money were
filled out by consultants, while the forms were (probably) filled out
by firm  internal staff. (There was nothing that actually prevented
them using the same consultants to fill out the forms.)  Is this a
valid methodology in sociology and other social sciences? I know that
for certain kinds of in-depth studies on technical issues voluntary
surveys are sometimes used, but is it still valid when there is such a
strong incentive to claim success? Every firm taking part has hopes of
getting even more funding in the future.

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