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Corrupt Research
The Case for Reconceptualizing Empirical Management and Social Science



July 2015 | 360 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Addressing the immensely important topic of research credibility, Raymond Hubbard’s groundbreaking work proposes that we must treat such information with a healthy dose of skepticism. This book argues that the dominant model of knowledge procurement subscribed to in these areas—the significant difference paradigm—is philosophically suspect, methodologically impaired, and statistically broken. Hubbard introduces a more accurate, alternative framework—the significant sameness paradigm—for developing scientific knowledge. The majority of the book comprises a head-to-head comparison of the “significant difference” versus “significant sameness” conceptions of science across philosophical, methodological, and statistical perspectives.  


 
1. Introduction
 
2. Philosophical Orientation - Significant Difference
Introduction

 
Conception of Knowledge

 
Model of Science - Hypothetico-Deductivism

 
The Role of "Negative" (p>.05) Results

 
Conclusions

 
Appendix: An Empirical Regularity Not to be Proud Of

 
 
3. Philosophical Orientation - Significant Sameness
Introduction

 
Conception of Knowledge

 
Model of Science - Critical Realism

 
The Role of "Negative" (P>.05) Results

 
Statistical Power of "Negative" (P>.05) Results

 
Conclusions

 
 
4. The Importance of Replication Research - Significant Sameness
Introduction

 
A Succinct Overview of Replication's Role

 
A Typology of Replications

 
Replication Research and the Acquisition of Knowledge

 
The Role of "Internal" Replications

 
Conclusions

 
Appendix: The Use of Student Samples in the Management and Social Sciences

 
 
5. The Importance of Replication Research - Significant Difference
Introduction

 
The Publication Incidence of Replication Research in the Managerial and Social Sciences

 
The Outcomes of Replication Research

 
The Timeliness of Replication Research

 
Why the Lack of Replication Research?

 
The Publication Frequency of Critical Commentary

 
Conclusions

 
 
6. Conception of Generalization/External Validity
Introduction

 
Significant Difference

 
Significant Sameness

 
Conclusions

 
Appendix: Fisher's Views on Probability and Random Sampling

 
 
7. Contrasts Over Statistical Issues
Introduction

 
Model Uncertainty

 
Nature of Predictions Made

 
The Role of P-Values

 
The Role of Effect Sizes and Confidence Intervals

 
Conclusions

 
 
8. Whither the Academy?
Introduction

 
Obstacles to the Implementation of the Significant Sameness Paradigm

 
Cultivating a Significant Sameness Tradition

 
Retrospective: Empirical Regularities and the Emergence of Nineteenth Century Social Statistics and Social Science

 
Conclusions

 
 
9. Epilogue
Key features

KEY FEATURES:

  • A clear, engaging writing style conveys an honest and powerful argument for the need to question the significance difference paradigm.
  • Substantial multidisciplinary examples encourage readers to think about and question the scientific foundations and status of their disciplines.
  • Easy-to-understand charts clarify key concepts.
  • An extensive bibliography provides readers in the managerial, social, and biomedical sciences an opportunity to follow up on key topics discussed in the book.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3


For instructors

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