DISS (social Sciences)

The Nature and Function of Social Science

Definition: The study of human society and social relationships.

Focus: Understanding how societies function, individual interactions, and social structures.

Importance/Functions:

Understanding Society: Helps grasp complex issues like inequality, culture, and voting patterns.

Informing Decision-Making: Provides data for policymakers to create effective policies.

Historical Origins: Emerged in the 19th century with pioneers like Émile Durkheim and Auguste Comte.

Perspective-Driven: Studies are often classified by perspective (e.g., psychological, sociological).

II. Methods and Limitations

Methods of Social Science

Observation: Watching and recording behaviors.

Experiments: Conducting controlled studies.

Interviews/Surveys: Collecting data from individuals.

Case Studies: In-depth analysis of specific cases.

Limitations of Social Science

Interpretative Nature of Findings: Influenced by the researcher's perspective.

Complexity of Controlling Variables: Difficult to isolate variables in social phenomena.

Ethical Issues: Concerns regarding privacy and consent.

Financial Constraints: Limited resources for extensive research.

III. Disciplines of Social Science (Focus and Key Branches)

1. Anthropology: Study of humans, ancestors, and culture.

Branches: Cultural, Physical (Biological), Archaeology, Linguistic.

2. Economics: Study of production, consumption, and distribution of goods/services.

Branches: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Development, International, Labor.

3. Geography: Study of Earth's landscapes, environments, and people-environment relationships.

Branches: Physical, Human, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Environmental.

4. History: Study of past events and their impact.

Branches: Ancient, Medieval, Modern, Contemporary, Economic History.

5. Linguistics: Study of language, structure, and communication.

Branches: Phonetics, Phonology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Sociolinguistics.

6. Political Science: Study of political systems, government, and behavior.

Branches: Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, Public Administration, Policy Studies.

7. Psychology: Study of the mind and behavior (mental processes and emotional states).

Branches: Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, Social, Industrial-Organizational.

8. Sociology: Study of society, social behavior, and institutions.

Branches: Social Theory, Social Research, Sociology of Education/Family, Urban Sociology.

9. Demography: Study of population dynamics (size, distribution, and trends).

Branches: Population Statistics, Dynamics, Policy, Fertility/Mortality Studies.

IV. Social Science vs. Natural Science

Natural Science Overview

Definition: Studies natural phenomena through empirical and systematic methods.

Origin: Linked to the Renaissance period (16th and 17th Centuries).

Main Concern: To discover laws that govern the natural world.

Branches: Life Science (e.g., Botany, Zoology) and Physical Science (e.g., Physics, Chemistry).

Differences

Social Science: Arose later; deals with human subjects; uses experiential data; considered an Open System.

Natural Science: Began earlier; deals with objects in nature; uses experimental data; considered a Close System.

Commonalities

Both employ scientific models to gain information.

Both use empirical and measurable data.

Theories in both can be tested.

Both use a systematic approach to explain theories.