Social Science Research Flashcards
CAH - Critical Thinking - Historical Change
Historical Change is an all-encompassing term used to describe the changing of events over the course of time. Historical change happens constantly and includes both major events and seemingly insignificant events. Historical change takes place through the process of cause and effect. One event, trend, or movement leads to another, and the cycle continues endlessly. Scholars who study historical change have developed two distinct views: Intentionalism and Functionalism.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Historical Change - Intentionalism
Intentionalism emphasizes the role of important figures in history.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Historical Change - Functionalism (Structuralism)
Functionalism (Structuralism) emphasizes the role of broader socio-political and economic trends.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Historical Change - Historiography
Historiography is the history of history. In other words, it is the study of how historical views change over time. For example, during certain periods of time, the American Revolution was viewed from a certain perspective. As new information becomes available, however, new views emerge. Also, current political and social norms affect how we interact with the past. Our perception of the past is very much shaped by the present.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Reoccurring Themes
Reoccurring themes are simply commonalities or discernible patterns that appear throughout the course of history.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Reoccurring Themes - Class Struggle
Class struggle is one of the most important reoccurring themes in history. It concerns the power struggle between different social classes, often between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots.’
CAH - Critical Thinking - Reoccurring Themes - Nationalism
Nationalism is a political, social, and economic system characterized by the promotion of the interests of a particular nation, especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining sovereignty (self-governance) over the homeland. The political ideology of nationalism holds that a nation should govern itself, free from outside interference and is linked to the concept of self-determination. Nationalism is further oriented towards developing and maintaining a national identity based on shared, social characteristics, such as culture and language, religion, and politics, and a belief in a common ancestry. Nationalism, therefore, seeks to preserve a nation’s culture, by way of pride in national achievements, and is closely linked to patriotism, which, in some cases, includes the belief that the nation should control the country’s government and the means of production.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Reoccurring Themes - Industrialization
Industrialization is the process whereby a society is transformed from a reliance on agriculture to a reliance upon the manufacturing of products.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Quantitative Research
Quantitative research is based on numerical data, which can be analyzed using statistics. This type of research focuses on pinpointing what, where, when, how often and how long social phenomena occur. A pro of quantitative research is that it uses statistics to extrapolate data and predict how people will behave in the future. Many researchers prefer quantitative research because it provides objective, hard facts. Variables are easy to identify and results can be generalized to larger populations. A con is that quantitative research can’t explain why social phenomena occur - it just quantifies the fact that they do. Quantitative research doesn’t take into account the emotions, motives, imagination, beliefs, etc. of the subject.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Qualitative Research
Qualitative research, also called descriptive research, is based on data that cannot be measured or counted, but can be collected and interpreted through observation. This type of research focuses on why and how social phenomena occur. A pro of qualitative research takes into account the emotions, motives, imagination, beliefs, etc. of the subject and often incites empathetic understanding. It can provide a wealth of in-depth information and even explain findings from a quantitative study. A con is that it is common for qualitative research to include bias. Due to the personal involvement of the researcher, it’s practically impossible to stay impartial.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Historical Research
Historical Research involves interpreting past events to predict future ones. (1) Formulate an idea: This is the first step of any research, to find the idea and figure out the research question. (2) Formulate a plan: This step involves figuring out where to find sources and how to approach them: libraries, court archives, private collections, etc. (3) Gather data: This is when Stan will actually go to the library or courthouse or prison to read or interview or otherwise gather data. (4) Analyze data: This step is when Stan goes through the data he just collected and tries more directly to answer his question. (5) Analyze the sources of data: Another thing that Stan has to do when he is analyzing data is to also analyze the veracity of his data.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Historical Methodology
Historical methodology is the process by which historians gather evidence and formulate ideas about the past. It is the framework through which an account of the past is constructed.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Oral Tradition
Oral tradition consists of stories that are not written down but passed on verbally, usually from an eyewitness to succeeding generations. Oral tradition, or oral history as it is also called, is sometimes considered a primary source, although there is debate as to where it theoretically fits as a source. In a lot of ways, it is in a class of its own. Oral tradition is especially important to historians studying various ethnic groups whose history may not be well-documented in writing.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Hegelian Dialectic
Historical interpretations follow a pattern known as the Hegelian dialectic, which involves the formulation of a thesis, which is then countered by an antithesis before being resolved in a synthesis. A thesis is basically an idea or thought (in this case, an interpretation). Once that thesis emerges, it is countered by an opposing idea or thought (again, in this case, a different interpretation). Finally, the two opposing views are reconciled by a synthesis, or a merging, which creates a brand new idea or thesis. According to Hegelian theory, this cycle continues endlessly: new theses are always being spawned from the synthesis of older theses and their corresponding antitheses.
CAH - Critical Thinking - Data Collection Techniques - Experiment
You’ve written your hypothesis and null hypothesis, and you’ve familiarized yourself with the background research on your topic. The next step is to figure out how you’re going to collect the data to test your hypothesis. One option is to do an experiment. Experiments, defined as manipulating a component to see if the manipulation has an effect on other aspects of the participant, is a good choice when you can control something and see what happens.
