The Quality and Quantity of Data for Cross-Cultural Studies'

Abstract

This paper was delivered as the Presidential Address at the 15th annual meeting of the Society for Cross-Cultural Research, February 16, 1986 in San Diego. It reviews two major points of view about data quality represented by Murdock and Naroll and suggests some solu tions for dealing with problems about data quality. To improve the quality and quantity of data available for cross-cultural work, it is recommended that the Society for Cross-Cultural Research actively undertake to create and publish miniature data banks containing qualitative and quantitative data not previously available in the public record.

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