Week 2A (Quiz study)

Question 1

2 main Characteristics of the scientific method are

Answer 1

1. Logic

2. Testing (observation)

Question 2

3 main Activities of science

Answer 2

1. Theory
2. Data collection
3. Data analysis

Question 3

How do the 2 main Characteristics (c) of science relate to the 3 Activities (a) of science

Answer 3

1. Theory (a) = Logic (c)
2. Data collection (a) = Observation (c)
3. Data analysis (a) = Logic and Observation (c)
   Data analysis: compares what should make sense (logic/theory) with what is actually observed (observational/data collection)

Question 4

3 functions of scientific theory in the social science

Answer 4

1. Description (What something is)
2. Explanation (Why something is the way it is)
3. Exploration

Question 5

Social science theory is NOT

Answer 5

A philosophy or belief, it does not make value/moral/ethical judgements i.e.
- Belief: Men and women ‘should’ (value/moral/ethic) be equally respected

• Scientific theory:
  Men and women are not equally respected (DESCRIPTION)
  because the stereo-type gender-specialised tasks associated with men and women are not equally respected (EXPLANATION)

Question 6

Science can also be described at a general level as

Answer 6

Logico-empirical
(Refers to 2 key pillars/characteristics)
- Logico = Theory (thinking/idea)
- Empirical (Observation) =

Question 7

(1) Describe and (2) Explanation probable patterns

Answer 7

• General patterns or statistics
• Exceptions to the rule does not mean that the ‘rule’ (or general pattern does not exist or is not important
• Personal choice to change one’s mind (free will to behave inconsistently) also doe not mean that a pattern does not occur
• Both formal and informal rules (or social norms) make social life relatively regular/patterned/probable/likely

Question 8

(3) Exploring the ‘obvious’

Answer 8

• Of course a doctor earns more money than a plumber!… or do they?
• Being ‘critical’ is about taking a closer look… (A medical intern may earn more than a plumber working 30 years)
• Some research may be criticised with the charge of triviality… (That something is too trivial or obvious to test)
• But… in exploring ‘the obvious’ we can still learn something new.

Question 9

Isaac Newton: I stand on the shoulders of giants statement refers to

Answer 9

That knowledge builds, there are stepping stones

Question 10

Scientific theory in the social science is concerned with

Answer 10

Groups of people or the system in which people operate in

Question 11

What are 4 theoretical approaches to scientific inquiry

Answer 11

1. Idiographic and Nomothetic reasoning
2. Inductive and Deductive reasoning
3. Qualitative and Quantitative research
4. Pure and applied research

Question 12

1. Idiographic and Nomothetic reasoning seeks to explain

Answer 12

• Idiographic explanations: To fully explain one particular scenario (specific)
• Nomothetic explanation: To partially explain many similar scenarios (general)

Question 13

2. Inductive and Deductive reasoning seeks to explain

Answer 13

• Inductive reasoning: Start from a specific situation and then make an inference about a general pattern.
• Deductive reasoning: Starts at a general pattern and then make an inference about a specific situation.

Question 14

3. Qualitative and Quantitative data is

Answer 14

Quantitive research:
- Non-numerical and consists of words (i.e. Angela is bright)

Quantitative research:
- Numerical (Angela’s IQ =120)

Question 15

Advantages of Quantitative and Quantitate data

Answer 15

Quantitive: Captures the meaning behind the numbers

Qualitative: Can aggregate, compare and summarise data

Question 16

Disadvantages of Quantitative and Qualitative data

Answer 16

Quantitative: The meaning may be ambiguous so we can’t compare people (language is also socially constructed)

Qualitative: There is a potential loss of richness in meaning

Question 17

Pure and Applied research are conducted

Answer 17

Pure:

• Understanding
• Knowledge for the sake of knowledge

Applied:

• Application
• Make society more humane
• Use the results of the study to make changes or improve well being.

Question 18

Logic is used to design and develop scientific theory

Answer 18

• That observations are made when collecting data
• That data analysis compare actually observed or collected with what would logically be expected (as outlined in theory)

Question 19

Scientific theory in the social sciences focuses not on individuals (in the way psychology does)

Answer 19

• But on groups of people and as a result is concerned with the system that influences groups of people

Question 20

Even though there is less regularity in social life than in physical life,, there are

Answer 20

Still patterns (but formally prescribed and less informal normative) that can. be investigated in the social sciences.

Question 21

Logic is used to design and develop scientific theory

Answer 21

• That observations are made when collecting data

- That analysis compares actually observed or collected, with what would logically be expected (as outlined in theory)

Question 22

2 parts of basic argument

Answer 22

1. One or more premise

2. A conclusion

Question 23

Argument

Answer 23

Made to address a specific problem, by offering a position and providing a reason for hat position.

Question 24

Deductive argument

Answer 24

If facts are true, then the conclusions must be true
(i.e. arguments in which the conclusion necessarily follow the premises, if the premise are true then the conclusion is true)

Question 25

Inductive argument

Answer 25

Conclusion is supported (but not proven), to be greater or lesser degree, by the premises. (i.e. the conclusion does not logically follow from the premise/fact.)

Question 26

When making a deductive argument

Answer 26

- Start by examining/uncovering the premises, reasons and evidence. What logical conclusions can you draw from the evidence - Avoid jumping to a conclusion of someone else's argument (agree or not) OR Picking out your conclusion ahead of time and then trying to justify it

Question 27

Evaluating a deductive argument

Answer 27

1. Are the premises true? (condition or state of things) 2. Is the form of argument valid? (Premise/fact being true then conclusion MUST be true) If yes, then you have a sound argument

Question 28

Evaluating an inductive argument

Answer 28

- Evaluation process is different to deductive argument 1. Are the premises true or acceptable? 2. Are the premises relevant to the issue at hand? 3. Are the premises compelling/sufficient enough to justify the conclusion? Evaluation Measure Argument: - Weak - Fair, relevant and insufficient or counter-argument - Strong, relevant and sufficient If yes, then you have a sound argument