title: Population movement studied at microscale: experience and extrapolation.
abstract: The context for this paper is the nature of generalization deriving from the study of particular cases of human behavior.  With specific reference to field research on population movement conducted among individuals, households, small groups, and village communities in 3rd world societies, it challenges the convention that both generalization and extrapolation are based inevitably and exclusively on the number of events subject to examination.  An evaluation is made of the methodological aspects of 4 different studies of population mobility at microscale, undertaken between 1965 and 1977 in the Solomon Islands and northwest Thailand.  On this basis, integrated field designs that incorporate a range of intersecting instruments are favored for their technical flexibility and logical strength.  With case studies of 3rd world villages, market centers, and urban neighborhoods, generalization and extrapolation is based on depth of understanding and power of theoretical connections.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D001519:Behavior; D003710:Demography; D003906:Developing Countries; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005843:Geography; D008542:Melanesia; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009042:Motivation; D010139:Pacific Islands; D011153:Population; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011584:Psychology; D012106:Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013785:Thailand
keywords: Asia; Behavior; Case Studies; Community; Comparative Studies; Data Analysis; Demographic Factors; Developing Countries; Geographic Factors; Melanesia; Migration; Models, Theoretical; Motivation; Oceania; Population; Population Dynamics; Psychological Factors; Research Methodology; Residence Characteristics; Residential Mobility; Solomon Islands; Southeastern Asia; Spatial Distribution; Studies; Thailand