Unit 1 Flashcards
What is Social Science?
The study of humans as individuals and in society.
Is usually a particular area of study that relates to human behavior and society
What is the heart of social science?
Research and Inquiry
Inquiry Questions
A really good inquiry question for social scientists acts as a guide for research. It keeps the researcher focused on what kinds of sources to use and helps shape the results of an inquiry. It often inspires new questions that allows one to probe even more deeply into a topic, once the inquiry has begun. As such, it should be neither too narrow nor too broad, and provide the space necessary to go deeply into the topic.
What is Anthropology?
Studies the origins, development, beliefs and customs of the human species
What are the two types of anthropology?
Cultural anthropology
Physical anthropology
What does anthropolgy involve?
Artifacts are used to piece together the development of human society(s)
It involves the study of different cultures, current and ancient
Information gained is used to make universal generalizations about human behavior
Spend A LOT of time gathering data
What is pyschology?
Studies the behavior, mind and personality of the individual.
Explain pyschology
Goals of psychology are to observe, describe, understand, predict and control behavior (modify behavior, motive etc.)
Psychology focuses on the individual rather than the group
Many modern psychologists believe that most human behavior is learned
What are the two main areas of pyschology?
Research into human behavior which largely focuses on Experiments and one on one interviews
Practice or applying knowledge to help people such as therapists, school psychologists and workplace practitioners.
What is soisology?
Is the study of human groups, institutions and society as a whole. The behavior of the group is used to explain the behavior of the individual
Sociologists examine the patterns of behavior (for example, Group Conformity)
They gather data regarding large numbers of people but in a shorter time period than an anthropologist.
Common Sense
Most social scientist will tell you that what you hear about human behaviour is just not true.
Is social science a pure science?
No, humans are must less predictable than chemical compounds, laws of physics etc.
What are social science standards for research to make sure proven truths?
Reliable, Valid Ethical
Reliable
Refers to the idea that you conduct your study using sound practices, and record your methods, observations and data accuretly. Researchers should be able to reproduce your study and find similar results.
Validity
Means your study is measuring what you think. Internal validity is the degree to which an instrument (survey question) measure what is intended to measure
External refers to ability of results of an experiment to be generalized beyond the immediet study.
Ethics
Research must be morally acceptable, and does not invalidate individuals right.
The scentific method of inquiry
Make observations, think of interesting questions, formulate hypothesis, develop testable predictions, gather data to make predictions, develop general theories
Make Observations
An idea always develops somewhere. All studies that have been done has happened because someone noticed something and wanted to discover answer
Interesting Questions
Why does that pattern occur?
Develop Testable Predications
You can use a variety of tools here such as surveys, interviews, and observations.
Gather Data to test predictions
Gather as much data as possible, Pull previous research and conduct your own
Develop General theories
After data has been collected and anaylyzed then draw some conclusios from it and credit theories.
Case Study
Is the observation of an individual, a situation or a group over a period of time.
A psychologist may work closely with one individual
A Sociologist may observe and interview students of one class
An anthropologist may study people in culture.
Benefits of Case Studies
Can gain a lot of detailed information and possible to develop a hypothesis about other situations.
Experiments
The essence of an experiment is to determine how one factor is related to another.
In social science this method is used with great care due to ethical questions involved in experimenting with humans.
Indepenent Variable
the factor that can be changed within the experiment.
Dependent Variable
the factor affected by the change.
Control Group
a group that is monitored as a standard for comparison with the experiment.
Sample Surveys
Used to obtain information about the thoughts or behaviour of a large group of people.
It’s called a ‘sample’ because researchers ask questions of a fairly limited number of people who represent a larger group.
The provide a general idea of trends
What to do for sample surveys
Phrase questions so that there is no doubt about the answer. Yes/No questions, or limited categories.
Use questions that will help you to quantify your data. (results in percentages)
What not to do for sample surveys
Ask questions that can be interpreted in different ways
As questions that are not needed to test the hypothesis
Interviews
Used when a researcher requires detailed information from a few people and is looking for explanations or descriptions of thought and behaviour.
Usually questions are prepared beforehand, but an interviewer may choose to let a natural discussion to occur.
Observations
We use observation to learn about how people respond in certain situations
Helps researchers learn about people in their natural environment
Unstructured Observations
Involves studying people without a predetermined idea of what to look for.
Allows for fresh insights and ideas, and provides new hypotheses
Structured Observations
Involves planning beforehand what will be observed and noted, and keeping a list of things to look for.
Usually a checklist is used to help the observer make notes and draw conclusions
Particpant Observations
A technique used mainly by anthropologists.
The researcher not only observes the group but also participates in the group’s activities
Steps to Analyze Data
Data should be separated into two categories: relevant and irrelevant
Data should be organized in a way that makes it clear. EX) convert #’s to percentages, put date in a chart or graph etc
Data should be analyzed in terms of how it supports, or fails to support, the hypothesis.
Steps to Draw conclusions
Conclusions can be divided into 4 catergroies
The evidence supports the hypothesis
There is some evidence that supports the hypothesis
The evidence does not support the hypothesis
The evidence supports an alternative hypothesis
