Unobtrusive Measures

by Eugene J. Webb, Richard D. Schwartz, Donald T. Campbell

Thirty-five years ago, the four authors of this book addressed the problems of validity in social science research. They were interested in new and unused methods for obtaining information. The original edition and an expanded version have often been cited as justification for using novel means to supplement, if not replace, conventional techniques, especially survey and archival research. Illustrations abound in this book. While the novelty of the illustrations will keep many a graduate student amused, the more serious purpose is to authorize and motivate ingenuity in obtaining information. Even more fundamental is the strategy of combining very different methods so that research results can, by triangulation, withstand "threats to validity" that so frequently invalidate single-measure, conventional research.

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The use of nonobtrusive (or nonreactive) measures is an important tool for social researchers. These are measures that do not require interaction with research subjects. That is a matter of some importance, since interaction with subjects (such as people in an experiment or answering a survey research instrument) may alter their behavior. One subtle unobstrucive measure--wear and tear on concrete or marble step;s to a building. If considerable wear and tear, that suggests heavy use of the resources of the building. If little or no wear, much less use (all things equal, of course).

A nice little work that broadens the imagination as to how to measure social phenomena.

[Mirko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out-dated, but still excellent points on the principles of measurements, and reactive measurement effects. The downside is that later chapters become more and more a list of studies - anecdotes more than guidelines, which I was looking for.