Social Science Research and Theory

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Social Science Research and Theory
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What are the functions or purposes of Science?
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Goals of Science

• 1. Discovery
• 2. Demonstration
• 3. Refutation
• 4. Replication

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• Scientific Methodology
• a systematic analysis of the rational
• and experimental principles which
• guide an inquiry

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Scientific Method involves

• 1. Theory an integrated set of principles that
  explain and predict facts
• 2. Hypothesis a prediction of what is the case
  (fact) based on theory
• 3. Observation a comparison of hypothesis to
  what is the case

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Sensory Experience
Physical Reality
Mental Constructs
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3
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Theory
induction
Observation
deduction
testing
Hypothesis
Immanuel Kant
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2 3
Radical Empiricism Logical Positivism
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Two distinct contexts of scientific method
(Reichenbach, 1951)

• 1. Context of Discovery
• creative, arational, no justification
• or responsibility for statements

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• 2. Context of Justification
• rigorous, austere, stringent req.
• for considering information factual

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Function of Theories 1. Predict relationships
between variables
Evaluation Criteria
SES
Education
Self- Esteem
Salary
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2. Summarize large amounts of data
(parsimony)
e mc2
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3. Application to many different phenomena
(generalizability)
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4. Generate additional research by
suggesting novel relationships (new
hypotheses)
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5. Apply research to practical problems
(utilitiy)