Call for Papers : The 8th International Conference on Social Science Methodology Venue: The University of Sydney, Sydney Australia Conference dates: Monday July 9 - Friday July 13, 2012 Session: Aggregate Data for Multivariate Modeling Peter Graeff, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main The session aims at stimulating the missing debate about criteria of assessing aggregate data in multivariate modeling. Sometimes, economists, sociologists and political scientists use "macro"-indicators or -indices in their empirical studies without knowledge about their (latent) measurement qualities (e.g. in mixed models). Since the opportunities to analyze data by computer programs are increasing and the availability of macro-indicators is improving as well, one may be enticed to incorporate even qualitatively inferior indicators for the sake of statistically significant results. The pitfalls of applying biased indicators or using instruments with unknown methodological characteristics are biased estimates, false statistical inferences and, as a consequence, misleading policy recommendations. The session welcomes paper submissions which address and identify criteria that will enable the comparability of different indices, that address new forms of parameter estimation (e.g. Bayesian approach) or new procedures for assessing the measurement quality (for instance structural equation models evaluating the validity and reliability of data) for multivariate models. Papers that show the applicability of these criteria in research fields dealing with aggregate-data (democracy, governance, conflicts or values) are also appreciated. Please send paper proposal to PD Dr. P. Graeff Fachbereich Gesellschaftswissenschaften Goethe Universität Frankfurt am Main Postfach 11 19 32 (Hauspostfach 103) 60054 Frankfurt am Main Tel. 069 798 22 648 Tel. 069 798 23614 (Sekretariat Di-Do) Fax 069 798 23344 Email: graeff@soz.uni-frankfurt.de<mailto:graeff@soz.uni-frankfurt.de>