IE Notes (Week 1)

Epistemology - What is Reality?

• Introduction to the concept of epistemology.

The Scientific Process

• Introduction to the scientific process.

Five Phases of Research

• Overview:

  1. Problem specification (formulation of a research question).

  2. Definition of study design and operationalization.

  3. Implementation of research design (data collection, application of research methods).

  4. Data analysis (statistics).

  5. Application of results.

Empirical Science as an Iterative Process

• Emphasis on the iterative nature of empirical science.

Challenge for the Standard Model of Particle Physics

• Mention of a challenge for the Standard Model of Particle Physics.

Dual Research Strategy

• Qualitative and quantitative research paradigms are complementary, not mutually exclusive.

  • Exploratory (Inductive):

    • Based on first-hand observation in a natural setting.

    • Sometimes referred to as the qualitative approach.

  • Explanatory (Deductive):

    • Theory-guided experimental research, aiming to identify cause-effect relationships.

    • Sometimes referred to as the quantitative approach.

The Goal of Science

• To gain knowledge by:

  • Capturing real-world phenomena.

  • Finding rules and patterns.

  • Predicting events.

Key Components of Science

• Theory:

  • Systematic set of axioms, definitions, and hypotheses.

  • Should lead to powerful explanations and be parsimonious.

• Methods:

  • Systematic procedures to gain scientific knowledge.

  • Guarantee replicable results.

• Empirical Science, Data:

  • Theories of empirical sciences can be tested with data.

Example: Facebook Invitation Networks

• Theory = Homophily (the tendency for people to seek out or be attracted to those who are similar to themselves.)

• Method = Social Network Analysis

• Data = Online Application

Science vs. Everyday Knowledge

• Everyday Knowledge:

  1. Relates to specific, unique cases and situations.

  2. Guided by common sense.

  3. Individual knowledge, not very precise.

• Science:

  1. Generalization of many observations.

  2. Systematic, methodological procedures for description and classification.

  3. Intersubjective, transparent, replicable (control by third party possible).

  4. High precision needed for concepts, theories, and methods.

  5. Possibility for falsification (versus verification).

Definitions

• Nominal Definition:

  1. Defining a term with a description of what it means.

  2. May require defining other terms as well.

  3. Does not contain empirical information; constitutes a logical convention and cannot be empirically wrong.

  4. Example: "A table is a piece of furniture."

• Real Definition:

  1. Defining a term by listing examples or empirical features.

  2. Relates to empirical information and can be judged as right or wrong.

  3. Example: "A table consists of legs supporting a flat surface."