Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Scientific Methods > Philosophy of science in business studies > Flashcards

Philosophy of science in business studies Flashcards

1
Q

What is inference and what are the two types?

A

Inference is a claim with reasons
1. Descriptive inference
2. Casual inference

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Being scientific means what?

A

It means adhering to the rules of science, rather than the topic invested

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is metaphysics?

A

Fundamental nature of reality “being as such” outside the realm of objective study, things that are eternal and do not change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is another word for immaterialism?

A

Idealism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is Realism?

A

Abstract universals, eg Platonic forms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is Nominalism?

A

Only particulars/instances, eg Aristotelian critique

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is epistemology?

A

how we aquire knowledge

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is ontology?

A

Assumptions about the nature of reality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the three assumptions in science?

A

Ontology, epistemology, methodology

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is a methodology?

A

Techniques for collecting and analyzing data

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the two responses to skepticism?

A

Rationalism and Empiricism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is rationalism and who is the person connected to it?

A

Descartes. He said: I think, therefore I am. (cogito ergo sum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is empiricism and who is connected to it?

A

John Locke. He said that all knowledge comes from experience and that there are no innate ideas that are with us when we are born.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is Cartesian dualism?

A

Cartesian split between mind and matter (extended in time and space)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is causality?

A

Causality is based on robust argumentation and theory and supported (or refuted) by evidence. In business research, causality is often inferred from questionnaire surveys. However, given the dubious argument for satisfying the conditions of a true experiment, we call these quasi-experiments.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What did David Hume say about causality?

A

Causality is formed from the relationship between two impressions or ideas in the mind. However, because knowledge comes from experiences, assumptions of causality are intrinsically flawed and cannot be proven.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is deduction and induction?

A

Induction is a valuable part of the scientific process, and as such, we view induction as a scientific method. Induction and deduction are simply two complementary processes.

Induction starts with the enumeration of past and present empirical observations to draw inferences about the physical world. For example, if all the swans we observe are white, then we conclude that all swans are white.

So induction reasoning makes a generalization from specific observations and facts, while deductive reasoning uses available information, knowledge or facts to construct a valid conclusion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is a nomothetic method?

A

Purpose: establishing general laws and empirical generalization
Requires comparative studies
Studying the general occurence of something (phenomenon)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is a ideographic method?

A

Purpose: establishing understanding of the particular context in order to generate a broader understanding
Only feasible with few studies, in order to retain depth in description. Can be comparative
Studying a case of something (like an event)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is Variance Theory?

A

Variance measures variability from the average or mean. Explains why something happens (outcomes)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is Process Theory?

A

Explains how something happens. (from state A to state B)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Which are the four stances on philosophy of science?

A
  1. Logical positivism
  2. Relativism
  3. Pragmatism
  4. Realism
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What is logical positivism?

A

Ludwig Wittgenstein: Logic in itself is empty (tautological) but can sat everything that can be said meaningfully about the world

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the hypothetico-deductive model?

A

idek man

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the ontology of logical positivism?

A

Rejecting metaphysics, what exists is empirical

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is the epistemology of logical positivism?

A

Mainly empiricists notion of how we gain knowledge, albeit enabled by force of logic

27
Q

What is pragmatism?

A

Pragmatism involves research designs that incorporate operational decisions based on ‘what will work best’ in finding answers for the questions under investigation and this enables pragmatic researchers to conduct research in innovative and dynamic ways to find solutions to research problems.

28
Q

What is abduction?

A

Making a probable conclusion from what you know. If you see an abandoned bowl of hot soup on the table, you can use abduction to conclude the owner of the soup is likely returning soon.

29
Q

What is Karl Poppers rational inquiry?

A

idekkk

30
Q

What is Poppers three world theory?

A

World 1: physical, objective world
World 2: Phychological, cognitive, subjective world
World 3: Human concepts, abstractions, creations

31
Q

What is critical realism?

A

Critical Realism is a branch of philosophy that distinguishes between the ‘real’ world and the ‘observable’ world.

32
Q

Thomas Kuhm, on scientific revolutions, said that there is two qualitatively different kinds of science. Which?

A

Normal and revolutionary.

33
Q

If we wanted to investigate a vaguely understood phenomenon, which approach are we likely to use in our research?

A

Inductive

34
Q

The ontological perspectives positivism and constructivism (also interpretivism, anti-positivism, relativism) can be envisioned along a spectrum:

Positivism ————— > Constructivism

The perspectives are associated with different views on how the world works. Which of the following is more associated with a positivist perspective?

A

Measurement

35
Q

When using an inductive approach, is theory the outcome of data collection?

A

Yes

36
Q

In the Sallis et al textbook, there is a diagram showing a theoretical plane and an empirical plane. How does the operational definition of a construct relate to the theoretical definition?

A

It refines the theoretical definition into something measurable.

37
Q

Does argumentation play any role in presenting research?

A

Of course. You argue for your claims based on your data, your logic, and possibly the theory you are working with.

38
Q

What are a few of the norms we follow in pursuit of conducting ethical research?

A

Not harming participants, respecting privacy, and ensuring transparency so that the research can be evaluated.

39
Q

Ontology, epistemology, and methodology are connected. The assumptions we make regarding how we perceive reality provide guidance on how we acquire knowledge about reality, and thus, what kind of methods we apply. In the process of gaining knowledge through scientific methods, we often shift perspectives depending on the research question.
From a positivist perspective, is it possible to be objective?

A

Yes

40
Q

Professors Wedlin and Sallis to some degree represent the poles of the Philosophy of Science spectrum of constructivism (Wedlin) and positivism (Sallis). Why are they both skeptical of the word “facts” and they both emphasize the importance of the word “evidence”?

A

Research, no matter which perspective, can always have flaws. In statistics, this could be represented by the trade-off between type I and type II error. Conclusions should be on findings and evidence. Social scientists claiming facts should be treated with skepticism

41
Q

One way to construct relevant research questions is to first consider research problems. Are we lacking knowledge about an important issue? Is there a practical problem that needs solving? Another way is to consider the cost of not solving a problem, like not solving the climate crisis.
10
Research question role B SM
What is the role of the research question?

A

To motivate and focus the research.

42
Q

Charting the territory means to learn about the topic area, which includes looking for previous conceptual papers and research studies. In social sciences, research questions:

A

May motivate theory development.

43
Q

When evaluating a research question, it is important that it:

A

Is relevant, researchable, and represents a gap in knowledge.

44
Q

Charting the territory means to learn about the topic area, which includes looking for previous conceptual papers and research studies. In social sciences, research questions:

A

May motivate theory development.

45
Q

What is a cross-sectional research design and how does it relate to causality?

A

Data is collected at a specific point in time from a cross-section of respondents, so concluding causal inference is weak.

46
Q

What is the research design?

A

It is the plan for how a research project will be conducted.

47
Q

With respect to Professor Wedlin’s lecture on research design, which statement DOES NOT describe why a research design is needed?
A research design:

A

Facilitates the formation of a research question that is relevant and researchable.

48
Q

True experiments with randomly assigned subjects and control groups are unusual in social sciences, including economics and business studies. More often, you will see quasi- experimental designs like the Mexican music and sales of Mexican food example. The subjects (the people shopping) were not randomly assigned to shop in stores with/without Mexican music playing. In 2019 and again in 2021, the Nobel Prize winners for economics employed what is now widely known as “natural experiments”. Professor Wedlin talked about this. What is a natural experiment?

A

An event occurs to a specific group of people outside the control of the researchers, but in such a way as to resemble random assignment. Data is collected from before and after the event, and causality is established.

49
Q

Of these statistical methods, which one is associated with a causal research design?

A

Regression

50
Q

In Sweden, ice cream sales have a strong statistically significant negative correlation with umbrella sales. In Vietnam, the correlation is not significant. Why?

A

In Vietnam, people use umbrellas for both rain and shade.

51
Q

Is theory the outcome of data collection when applying an inductive approach?

A

Yes

52
Q

Research can be classified as either inductive or deductive. What sort of research methods are most commonly associated with a inductive research approach?

A

Qualitative methods

53
Q

Which answer would best fit the inductive approach?

A

The researcher, through a literature review, finds that there is a lack of theory explaining a certain phenomenon.

54
Q

When creating a questionnaire, what is a good way to make sure you properly cover the dimensions of each construct?

A

Start by looking at existing questionnaire on similar topics or theories.

55
Q

Epistemology is the theory of how scientists acquire knowledge. Which of the following statements is correct?

A

The positivist perspective is characterized by objectivity, that the researcher and what they are studying are independent of each other, and data is primarily quantitative.

56
Q

Professors Wedlin and Sallis to some degree represent the poles of the Philosophy of Science spectrum of constructivism (Wedlin) and positivism (Sallis). Why are they both skeptical of the word “facts” and they both emphasize the importance of the word “evidence”?

A

Research, no matter which perspective, can always have flaws. In statistics, this could be represented by the trade-off between type I and type II error. Conclusions should be based on findings and evidence. Social scientists claiming facts should be treated with skepticism.

57
Q

Does argumentation play any role in presenting research?

A

Of course. You argue for your claims based on your data, your logic, and possibly the theory you are working with.

58
Q

In the Sallis et al. (2021) textbook there is a diagram showing a theoretical plane and an empirical plane. How does the operational definition of a construct relate to the theoretical definition?

A

It refines the theoretical definition into something measureable.

59
Q

Ontology, epistemology, and methodology are connected. The assumptions we make regarding how we perceive reality provide guidance on how we acquire knowledge about reality, and thus, what kind of methods we apply. In the process of gaining knowledge through scientific methods, we often shift perspectives depending on the research question.
From a constructivist (anti-positivist) perspective, is it possible for an excellent researcher to be objective?

A

No

60
Q

If you wanted to investigate a well-understood and well-defined phenomenon, which approach are you likely to use in your research?

A

Deductive

61
Q

Charting the territory means to learn about the topic area, which includes looking for previous conceptual papers and research studies. In social sciences, research questions:

A

May motivate theory development

62
Q

How could you describe a research question and related hypotheses?

A

You may answer a research question by posing hypotheses. The hypotheses must be empirically testable.

63
Q
A

Scientific Methods (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions