Appendix

Question 1

Components of science

Answer 1

1. Systematic investigation
2. Empirical
3. Public
4. Cumulative

Question 2

Systematic investigation

Answer 2

Follows a methodology

Question 3

Empirical

Answer 3

Based mostly on observations

Question 4

Public

Answer 4

People can follow your logic + adds to knowledge about the world

Question 5

Cumulative

Answer 5

Builds on previous knowledge by testing a hypothesis based on theories

Question 6

Goals of political science

Answer 6

1. DESCRIBE politics
2. EXPLAIN politics
3. PREDICT politics

Question 7

What questions are answered by DESCRIBING politics?

Answer 7

What happens?
What are the facts?

Question 8

What questions are answered by EXPLAINING politics?

Answer 8

Why did X happen?

Question 9

How is asking WHY an event happens different from the HOW an event happened?

Answer 9

WHY = looking for an established pattern
HOW = listing events that led up to the event

Question 10

What is used to answer WHY an event occurs?

Answer 10

Theories

Question 11

Theory

Answer 11

Explanation of facts with reference to concepts

Question 12

What is required for a statement to be scientifically useful?

Answer 12

Falsifiability

Question 13

Tautology

Answer 13

Statement that is true by definition

Question 14

How do we predict politics?

Answer 14

Identify general laws of politics

Question 15

Begging the question

Answer 15

Answering a question by restating the question

Question 16

Circular argument

Answer 16

Premise of the argument assumes the conclusion

Question 17

Post-Hoc explanation

Answer 17

Assuming preceding events cause an event

Question 18

Confirmation bias

Answer 18

Accepting info that confirms your beliefs and subjecting opposing information to heightened scrutiny