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Advisingfunders of applied social science on how to optimize the validity ofsuch research requires an implicit or explicit "sociology of scientific validity. " While such a sociology is not yet formally available, this essay attempts to make recommendations upon such a base. The specific target is preventive intervention research in mental health. Twelve of the specific recommendations are directed toward creating a mutually-monitoring (reinforcing and criticizing) applied scientific community. One section addresses the undesirable side effects that monitoring by funders can produce. A third section of four parts addresses conceptualizations of validity appropriate to applied social science.
Donald T. Campbell (Sun,) studied this question.