The File Case Study in Correction (19771979) [Paperback]

The File is a collection of documents from a major disputeinvolving a number of American college professors, mainlymathematicians, statisticians,and sociologists. Thecontroversy was ignited by the mathematician Serge Lang'sreaction to a questionnaire, The 1977 Survey of theAmerican Professoriate , distributed by E. C. Ladd of theUniversity of Connecticut and S. M. Lipset of Stanford. Theensuing discussion - in part acrimonious and personal - sooninvolved a large group of active and passive participants,and included issues such as survey techniques, evaluation ofacademic work, public and political honesty, and McCarthyismat Harvard.Introductory Letter to the Reader.- Why bother? (Your point of view). Why bother? (My point of view). Editorial responsibility.- The letters. Introductory and other comments. Objectivity.- The Story: Summary.- A Reply to Lang.- The LaddLipset SurveysA Brief Review. The Methodology of the 1977 Survey. Survey Research on Public Opinion and Social Values. Sampling. Nonresponse. Question Design and Questionnaire Development. Envoi..- The File.- The 1977 Survey of the American Professoriate.- VERITAS AT HARVARD, by Sigmund Diamond from the New York Review of Books, 28 April 1977.- The First Year.- One: The Opening Exchange.- Two: From Koblitzs Letter to Langs Fifteen Pages of Comments.- Three: From Langs Comments to the Science Article.- Four: From Science to New York Review of Books.- Five: The Garfinkel Letter (McCarthyism?).- Six: The New York Review of Books Article.- The Second Year.- Seven: Trying to Settle Loose Ends.- Eight: The Chronicle Causes a Rebound.- Nine: From Mac Lanes Letter to the Editors (Notices, AMS) to Langs Letter to the Editor (Bulletin, AAUP).- Ten: The Stakes Are Raised.- Eleven: The Ratings Get Publicity.- Twelve: The AAUPChronicle Relation.- Thirteen: End of the Second Year.- Into a Third Year.- Fourteen: McCarthyism? (Again).- Fifteen: Intemperate and Libelous?.- l3%