Comment on Neider: The Issue of Interpretation of Experiments

摘要

It is argued that Neider's study claiming to show the beneficial effects of participation on store sales is open to other interpretations, as are many studies of participative decision making. Neider's study actually had four independent variables: participation; a sales plan; goal setting; and incentives. The first two constituted one condition; the second two another; and all four another. Thus no difinitive interpretation of the results is possible. However, an interpretation that is equally, if not more, plausible than Neider's is that goal setting and incentives do not improve performance unless there is an adequate action plan. Participation may be one method of developing and/or gaining commitment to such plans. The general issue of interpretation of experiments is discussed. (Author)