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Chapter 1 Summary RSC2601 - Research In Social Sciences (RSC2601)
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RSC2601 – Chapter 1Strategies of Discovery
Study Unit 1 – Strategies of Discovery Page
Science A process of inquiry 3
A way of learning and knowing things about the world
around us using logic, observation and theory
Research Making a careful and planned study of social events 3
Scientific research Systematically examine and think about a question 3
Replication Repeating a study, checking to see if the same 9
results are obtained
Norms Rules of conduct 12
Theory A framework of ideas that provides an explanation of 13
something
Value free The idea that scientific enquiry shouldn’t be 14
influenced by the values scientists hold dear
Assumption A basic premise that we believe is true 15
Ontology A branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of 18
reality
Epistemology A branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of 19
knowledge
Correlate An association between 2 or more variables, 22
determined statistically
Variable A property that changes empirically 22
Data Information collected 22
Relationships Links 23
Probability Chance 23
Value-freedom Researchers’ personal values don’t influence the 23
collection of data (research)
Standardised Uniform 23
Bias Prejudice or distortion 23
Interpretivism An approach to social science that emphasises the 25
importance of insiders’ viewpoints to understanding
social realities
Narrative The story one tells about oneself 28
Critical approach An approach to social science that emphasises the 30
need to uncover hidden processes and structures
within society
Prediction Statement that tells us a future outcome 31
Objectivity For positivists this means impartiality 31
Feminist research An approach advocating gender sensitivity in 34
research, in particular the acknowledgment of the
role of women
Postmodern An approach to research that claims there is no such 37
research thing as absolute “truth” and that no particular theory
or method is better than another at determining the
truth
, Modernity A belief in rationality and progress associated with 37
confidence in science and technology
Relativism A belief that claims different viewpoints are all valid 38
Identity People’s understanding of who they are and what 38
they are like
Self-concept
Introduction
Science is an inquiry
o Inquiry – process whereby we gain knowledge by observing how things
are and using our minds to think logically about what we observed
Social world refers to that part of our existence dealing with how people
interact with one another
Sources of general knowledge
Tradition
o Contains accepted knowledge of the ways of the world
o We accept what other people know and tell us
o Knowledge is cumulative
o Can also be harmful to human inquiry
We don’t find out how the knowledge was obtained in the first
place – the source of learning isn’t questioned
Authority
o When we accept something as being true because of the status of the
person
o Problem
We can overestimate the expertise of persons in authority
Unquestioningly accept authority as our source of knowledge
Mysticism and religion
o Religion offers a type of knowledge based upon the authority of sacred
text or some other supernatural source
o Not a reliable guide to knowledge about the actual state of the world
Common sense
o Ordinary reasoning
o Relates to what people know intuitively such as when to trust someone
o We recognise a truth or falsehood without analysing why we recognise
it
o Contains a great deal of illogical reasoning
Doesn’t systematically consider how ideas are related to each
other
Nor does it collect information systematically in reaching
conclusions
o Often originates in tradition
Media myths
o Mass media has a powerful influence on knowledge
o Most people learn about the world and develop their concept of social
reality according to what they see, hear and read in the media
o Purpose is to entertain not present reality accurately
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