IMethodology - Quiz1

Social Science

the use of systematic empirical observation and logical analysis to understand the social world.

The Scientific Revolution

lead to the scientific method. important characters are:

• Descartes

• Bacon

• Copernicus

• Newton

Copernicus

heliocentric theory

Bacon

Inductive reasoning

Descartes

mind & matter

Newton

calculus

The Enlightenment

• David Hume

• Montesquieu

David Hume

philosophy: inductive experimental science of humans

Montesquieu

separation of power

The Industrial Revolution

Charles Booth

Charles Booth

Research on poverty in the UK

Components of research question

• variables

• relationship between variables (cause and effect/consequences/comparisons of…)

• population being studied

• location/scope

• timeframe

Views of social science

• Social science is a science

• Humanistic/Interpretive approach

• Critical-radical

• Postmodernism

Social Science is a science

there is no logical differences between natural & social sciences

Humanistic/Interpretive approach

All individuals are subjective

Critical-Radical

Social science is not for knowledge’s sake, but to help in bringing humans to bear witness of common struggles & move them to political actions

Postmodernism

Objectivity is an illusion because of our experiences; therefore there are multiple versions/explanations of phenomena.

Ethical considerations

• Why is the research being carried out?

• How is it being carried out?

• What will be the impact of the research?

• Are you abusing your authority?

Informed consent

informing subject of all relevant aspect and obtaining consent

Voluntary participation

Subjects should be allowed to accept/reject at any point

Confidential

Able to match data with subject but commited to not revealing anything publicly

Anonymous

cannot match data with subject