tailieunhanh - INTRODUCTION TO QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS CHAPTER 4

4 Methods of Inquiry `It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data!' `I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts' Sherlock Holmes, A Scandal in Bohemia | 4 Methods of Inquiry It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts Sherlock Holmes A Scandal in Bohemia Holmes s methods of detection he said were an impersonal thing - a thing beyond myself . The methods of quantitative social science research are similarly a thing apart from us. Our research designs and our research definitions are open to scrutiny and criticism. Even if we guess in social science research - abduction - we still need to test our guesses our observations with data. This is Holmes s point. Data is essential before we start to make why or because conclusions from our observations. But recognizing what is and what is not a clue data is itself an art as we saw in the last chapter. Brother Cadfael the monk-detective in Ellis Peters novels always held back on his decisions on what was and what was not a clue . In The Sanctuary Sparrow a young man comes to the abbey seeking sanctuary safety after being chased and beaten by men seeking his death. The abbot asks the men why they are chasing the young man My Lord I will speak for all I have the right. We mean no disrespect to the abbey or your lordship but we want that man for murder and robbery done tonight. I accuse him All here will bear me out. He has struck down my father and plundered his strong-box and we are come to take him. So if your lordship will allow we ll rid you of him Peters 1985 H-12 . The abbey looks after the young man while Brother Cadfael investigates. We have time and given time truth with out says Cadfael Peters 1985 23 . Cadfael senses that the young man is innocent but does not let this influence his thinking on innocence or guilt in his investigation. Lord Peter Wimsey Dorothy Sayers aristocrat detective is also warned by Parker his police friend not to accept uncritically what appears to be obvious. Wimsey .