WEEK 1- L2.1 philosophy of social science | objectivity and values

Question 1

how does critical theory approach objectivity?

Answer 1

researchers, and their work can’t be separated

Question 2

how does positivism approach objectivity?

Answer 2

we can distinguish
- normative theory
- empirical theory

Question 3

what does robert cox argue?

Answer 3

all theory is normative

Question 4

what does max weber argue?

Answer 4

yes we can distinguish but values can’t be ignored (what’s seen as relevant etc.)

Question 5

how can researchers deal with objectivity and values

Answer 5

transparency- self-disclosure, critical examination by larger scientific community

Question 6

rosenthal effect

Answer 6

if researchers communicate their expectations, the responses are in line with it.

Question 7

rosenthal effect

Answer 7

if researchers communicate their expectations, the responses are in line with it.

Question 8

hawthorne (heisenberg) effect

Answer 8

people act differently when they’re being observed

Question 9

who argues that that there’s a “normal science”

Answer 9

thomas kuhn

Question 10

what does “structure of scientific revolutions” argue?

Answer 10

science is a social institution
the scientific community subscribes to a common view, paradigm, or conceptual scheme
truth is based on consensus in scientific community

Question 11

paradigm shifts are…

Answer 11

sudden and revolutionary

Question 12

scientific revolution order

Answer 12

1. a malfunction leads to a crisis
2. there is a loosening of rules as basic institutions are rejected
3. competing camps form; there are those who seek to defend the old order, and those who seek to institute something new.
4. the competing camps seek support by resorting to techniques of mass persuasion
5. scientists transfer their loyalties from the old to the new paradigm, and this inaugurates a new era of normalcy and normal science

Question 13

what does thomas kuhn argue about the nature of change in science?

Answer 13

change in science occurs in occasional traumatic steps

Question 14

what is the alternative model proposed by imre lakatos?

Answer 14

the scientific research programs

Question 15

what’s the scientific research programs by lakatos

Answer 15

1. incremental, cumulative, progressive articulation of scientific research programs lead to the growth of scientific knowledge
2. theories have a hardcore of basic assumptions/ hypotheses that are widely accepted. and this core is protected by an auxiliary belt that are derived from the hardcore but can be tested and falsified without affecting the hard core.
3. novel facts: progressive (problem shifts) or degenerating research programs

Question 16

what’s an auxiliary hypothesis?

Answer 16

a belt that’s derived from teh hard core but can be tested and falsified without affecting the hard core.

Question 17

what’s the simmilarity between kuhn and lakatos’s arguments?

Answer 17

what kuhn calls a paradigm, lakatos calls a hardcore
=> both recognize the existence of fundamental assumptions that can’t be questioned

Question 18

what do kuhn and lakatos disagree on?

Answer 18

they think change happens differently