Data quality and modes of marriage: some holocultural evidence of systematic errors

Behavior Science Research • Vol/Iss. 11 • Published In • Pages: 25-37 •
By Schaefer, James Michael, Evascu, Thomas L.

Abstract

Authors explore the problem of data quality control, systematic error and spurious correlations possibly caused by systematic errors in global cross-cultural studies. They offer a solution (the use of control variables investigating potential sources of systematic error) and apply the technique to a cross-cultural study of the substantive correlates of societal organization and modes of marriage.

Note

101 society subsample

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
World Ethnographic Sample (WES)Other ResearchersSome data from Ethnographic Atlas, Marsh (1967: Comparative Sociology); Murdoch and Morrow (1970) Ethnology

Hypotheses (2)

HypothesisSupported
Coded data quality control factors will be associated with some aspects of mode of marriage.Supported
An ordered category of mode of marriage (from gift exchange to dowry) will be associated with general scales of evolution (subisstence type, societal complexity, and settlement pattern).Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Christina Carolus