The Case Survey and Alternative Methods for Research Aggregation

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to suggest that the cumulative function of research should itself be elevated to a central place in the profession and that the same standards of scientific rigor asked of any other type of inquiry be demanded of it. Three alternative approaches that can be used for aggregating research, and their strengths and weaknesses are discussed. Then the rules to be used in guiding aggregation will be treated. The emphasis will be placed on the third type of approach, case survey methods.