Difference between revisions of "Clark (1985)"

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===How does the author rule out alternative hypotheses? ===
 
===How does the author rule out alternative hypotheses? ===
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The author addresses a number of alternative hypotheses about why New England was so productive:
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* Costs of labor: On page
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* Technological:
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* Managerial differences: Some scholars believe that
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* Worker training
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* Inherent worker ability
  
 
===How might these tests be run if one had quantitative evidence? ===
 
===How might these tests be run if one had quantitative evidence? ===

Revision as of 23:01, 6 June 2011

Theory Questions:

What is the research question?

The article attempts to answer the question: "Why were New England cotton textile workers so much more productive than similar workers in the rest of the world?"

What is the author's hypothesis?

The author believes that local culture explains the difference and that differences in technology, management, worker training and inherent worker ability do not satisfy as explanations. Phrased another way, he believes that the "inefficiency of low wage labor" is responsible for the differences in productivity.

How does the author test the hypothesis?

The author never directly tests the hypothesis, but goes about "proving" his case by examining and disproving a thorough set of alternative hypotheses.

How does the author rule out alternative hypotheses?

The author addresses a number of alternative hypotheses about why New England was so productive:

  • Costs of labor: On page
  • Technological:
  • Managerial differences: Some scholars believe that
  • Worker training
  • Inherent worker ability

How might these tests be run if one had quantitative evidence?

What problems might arise in this quantitative analysis?

Empirical Questions:

What's the author's hypothesis?

How it is tested?

What do the tests achieve?

How could the tests be improved?

What are the tests' strengths and weaknesses?

Can you think of any alternative empirical tests?