ual proposition.In respect to Cronk’s proposition, “results indicate that livestock accumulation, in addition to being an important economic and social goal, can also be considered a reproductive strategy for Mukogodo men” (Cronk 1991: 356.) It is clear that the variables: amount of wealth (livestock); and reproductive success can in some cases be substituted for each other (wealth brings success/success brings wealth), however, for the main aspect of this article the independent variable would be the amount of livestock wealth; the dependent variable, clearly then, the reproductive success. As we shall see, the quantitative variables represent a relationship type of positive co-variation in lieu of the case – wealth, status, and reproductive success among the Mukogodo (males) of Kenya.Validation MethodsIn validating Cronk’s proposition, one can show that the ‘relationship’ is real and determinant. The validation method apparent in his article/study is testing. Cronk and his coworker, Beth Leech, “conducted complete censuses of the Mukogodo and their livestock” (Cronk 1991: 346.) Due to the fact that Maa-speaking pastoralists maintain herds of cattle, sheep, and goats, Cronk has had to apply a conversion procedure, which converts information obtained on livestock wealth to a more ‘readable,’ livestock unit. “One livestock unit is defined as equivalent to 250 kg, with one head of cattle defined as 0.71 livestock units and one sheep or goat defined as 0.17 livestock units” [(Evangelou 1984:183; Grandin 1988:4) from (Cronk 1991: 346-347).] The author, Cronk, examines both the reproductive success and livestock wealth maintained by the Mukogodo, with only minor examples coming from other Maa-speaking people. To validate his proposition, he “use(s) data on the Mukogodo to test Iron’s hypothesis about cultural and reproductive success and, second, to exp...
