Unit 1

Question 1

What is Social Science?

Answer 1

The study of humans as individuals and in society.

Is usually a particular area of study that relates to human behavior and society

Question 2

What is the heart of social science?

Answer 2

Research and Inquiry

Question 3

Inquiry Questions

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

What is Anthropology?

Answer 4

Studies the origins, development, beliefs and customs of the human species

Question 5

What are the two types of anthropology?

Answer 5

Cultural anthropology

Physical anthropology

Question 6

What does anthropolgy involve?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is pyschology?

Answer 7

Studies the behavior, mind and personality of the individual.

Question 8

Explain pyschology

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What are the two main areas of pyschology?

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

What is soisology?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Common Sense

Answer 11

Most social scientist will tell you that what you hear about human behaviour is just not true.

Question 12

Is social science a pure science?

Answer 12

No, humans are must less predictable than chemical compounds, laws of physics etc.

Question 13

What are social science standards for research to make sure proven truths?

Answer 13

Reliable, Valid Ethical

Question 14

Reliable

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Validity

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

Ethics

Answer 16

Research must be morally acceptable, and does not invalidate individuals right.

Question 17

The scentific method of inquiry

Answer 17

Make observations, think of interesting questions, formulate hypothesis, develop testable predictions, gather data to make predictions, develop general theories

Question 18

Make Observations

Answer 18

An idea always develops somewhere. All studies that have been done has happened because someone noticed something and wanted to discover answer

Question 19

Interesting Questions

Answer 19

Why does that pattern occur?

Question 20

Develop Testable Predications

Answer 20

You can use a variety of tools here such as surveys, interviews, and observations.

Question 21

Gather Data to test predictions

Answer 21

Gather as much data as possible, Pull previous research and conduct your own

Question 22

Develop General theories

Answer 22

After data has been collected and anaylyzed then draw some conclusios from it and credit theories.

Question 23

Case Study

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Benefits of Case Studies

Answer 24

Can gain a lot of detailed information and possible to develop a hypothesis about other situations.

Question 25

Experiments

Answer 25

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.

Question 26

Indepenent Variable

Answer 26

the factor that can be changed within the experiment.

Question 27

Dependent Variable

Answer 27

the factor affected by the change.

Question 28

Control Group

Answer 28

a group that is monitored as a standard for comparison with the experiment.

Question 29

Sample Surveys

Answer 29

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

Question 30

What to do for sample surveys

Answer 30

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)

Question 31

What not to do for sample surveys

Answer 31

Ask questions that can be interpreted in different ways

As questions that are not needed to test the hypothesis

Question 32

Interviews

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

Observations

Answer 33

We use observation to learn about how people respond in certain situations
Helps researchers learn about people in their natural environment

Question 34

Unstructured Observations

Answer 34

Involves studying people without a predetermined idea of what to look for.
Allows for fresh insights and ideas, and provides new hypotheses

Question 35

Structured Observations

Answer 35

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

Question 36

Particpant Observations

Answer 36

A technique used mainly by anthropologists.

The researcher not only observes the group but also participates in the group’s activities

Question 37

Steps to Analyze Data

Answer 37

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.

Question 38

Steps to Draw conclusions

Answer 38

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