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CONSTRUCTIVE REPLICATIONIn conclusion, it is hardly possible to over-emphasize the importance of theprinciple of replication. As Barber (1976: 87) quite correctly notes, a variety offactors make exact replication in the social sciences virtually impossible.Following Lykken’s (1968) lead, Barber argues in favour of more constructivereplication by stressing that more investigators should attempt to confirmempirical relationships that were claimed in earlier reports while thereplicator formulates his own methods of sampling, measurement, andstatistical analysis (1976: 87).Constructive replication implies that the researcher wishes to control thefindings of an earlier study by investigating the same problem for a differentsample and/or by using a different research design.Free download from www.hsrcpress.ac.zaRESUMÉAt the beginning of our discussion on data collection we emphasized thedistinctive nature of the research domain in the social sciences. Three aspectswere emphasized: the rationality, historicity, and normativeness of man. In thepreceding discussion we have presented ample evidence of differentmanifestations of these uniquely human dimensions in the field of socialresearch.The fact that the term observer effects was used as a general term for thedifferent effects that complicate the data-collection process, may have createdthe impression that human rationality, historicity, and normativeness were usedin a singularly negative sense. The aim of the discussion of the various types ofresearcher effects was, however, rather to sensitize the researcher to the varietyof ways in which human nature may influence research findings. In suggestingcertain control measures and design considerations to counteract problemsrelated to observer effects, the aim is not to deny the human dimension of theresearch process. On the contrary, emphasizing the necessity of research designis quite probably the greatest recognition one may give to the unusual nature ofthe research domain in the social sciences!Suggestions for further reading1. For an introduction to the design of survey research and to theconstruction of questionnaires, the following texts may be consulted:Bateson (1984), Belson (1981), Marsh (1982), Moser and Kalton (1971),and Rosen-berg (1968). Any of the general methodology texts in thereference list would also contain an introductory chapter on the design ofquestionnaires.96