SOCIAL INDICATORS RESEARCH
    The Death Penalty and Deterrence
    Computer Simulation

    Early in the textbook, you learned that social researchers are more interested in aggregates than in individual humans.  Yet, as we've proceeded to examine some of the various faces of social research, wev'e often dealt with individuals.  We select samples of them for surveys, engage them as subjects in experiments, or interview them in depth.  Even though the results of examining and measuring individuals is to determine patterns of social life, it is natural to think of individuals as the key.

    The final section of this chapter moves us to a distinctly societal level.  Though individuals are distantly involved, social indicators are clearly descriptions of society itself: crime rates, pollution levels, numbers of hospitals per 100,000 population, etc.  Social indicators such as these are often perceived as measures of society's "health," and evaluation research at this level looks for broad impacts of programs.

    Computer simulation is a particularly exciting possibility for social indicators research.  Once we have determined the network of relationships among variables in society at large, it is possible to impliment programs within the computer rather than in real life.  The likely impact can be determined quickly, without taking the risk of causing harm.  To tell you the truth, I've been saying this possibility held great potential for some time, and the potential still hasn't been realized.  Perhaps you could be the one to accomplish that.