《社会研究方法》艾尔巴比_英文ppt_Ch1

Foundations of Social Science



The foundations of social science are logic and observation. A scientific understanding of the world must make sense and correspond to what we observe. Both are essential to science and relate to the three major aspects of social scientific enterprise: theory, data collection, and data analysis.
Looking for Reality The Foundations of Social Science Some Dialectics of Social Research The Ethics of Social Research
How We Know What We Know


Direct Experience and Observation Personal Inquiry Tradition Authority
Answer: A

You've gotten A's on the last three tests. You have a research project due the last day of class and you’re sure you’re going to flunk because something has to break this streak of good luck. You’ve fallen prey to illogical reasoning.
The Practice of Social Research
Earl Babbie
Chapman University
Part 1
An Introduction to Inquiry
Chapter 1
Human Inquiry and Science
Chapter Outline


Looking for Reality



Our attempts to learn about the world are only partly linked to direct, personal inquiry or experience. A larger part comes from agreed-on knowledge that others give us, things ―everyone knows.‖ This agreement reality both assists and hinders our attempts to find out for ourselves.
Sources of Secondhand Knowledge

Both provide a starting point for inquiry, but can lead us to start at the wrong point and push us in the wrong direction. 1. Tradition 2. Authority
Science and Inquiry


Epistemology is the science of knowing. Methodology (a subfield of epistemology) might be called the science of finding out.
Question
Question

You've gotten A's on the last three tests. You have a research project due the last day of class and you’re sure you’re going to flunk because something has to break this streak of good luck. You’ve fallen prey to: A. illogical reasoning. B. inaccurate observation. C. selective observation. D. over-emphasis on tradition. E. overgeneralization.
Inquiry: Errors and Solutions
3.
4.
Selective observation • Make an effort to find cases that do not fit the general pattern. Illogical Reasoning • Use systems of logic explicitly.
Answer: D

In your discussion of measurement with a friend, she argues that what you are trying to measure does not exist and your own point of view will determine what you perceive in measuring. She has the postmodern view of reality.
Question

In your discussion of measurement with a friend, she argues that what you are trying to measure does not exist and your own point of view will determine what you perceive in measuring. She has which view of reality? A. correct B. premodern C. modern D. postmodern E. Scientific
Social Regularities
Examples of Patterns in social life: Only people 18 and older can vote. Only people with a license can drive.
Aggregates


The collective actions and situations of many individuals. Focus of social science is to explain why aggregated patterns of behavior are regular even when individuals change over time.
A Book

All of these are the same book, but it looks different when viewed from different locations, perspectives, or ―points of view.‖
Point of View

Answer: D

Social research aims to find regularity in social life.
A Variable Language

Variable Logical groupings of attributes.
Foundations of Social Science


Theory - Systematic explanation for the observations that relate to a particular aspect of life. Data collection - observation Data Analysis - the comparison of what is logically expected with what is actually observed.
Views of Reality


Premodern - Things are as they seem to be. Modern - Acknowledgment of human subjectivity. Postmodern -There is no objective reality to be observed.
Ordinary Human Inquiry


Humans recognize that future circumstances are caused by present ones. Humans learn that patterns of cause and effect are probabilistic in nature. Humans aim to answer ―what‖ and ―why‖ questions, and pursue these goals by observing and figuring out.


1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
15.4 15.0 14.6 14.4 14.2 14.3 14.2 14.4 14.1 13.9
Question

Social research aims to find __________ in social life. A. answers B. knowledge C. practicality D. regularity E. truth
Birthrates,United States: 1980– 2002



1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992
Байду номын сангаас
15.9 15.6 15.6 15.8 15.6 15.7 16.0 16.4 16.7 16.2 15.8
Inquiry: Errors and Solutions
1.
2.
Inaccurate observations • Measurement devices add precision. Overgeneralization • Repeat a study to make sure the same results are produced each time.
Wife’s Point of View. There is no question in the wife’s mind as to who is right and rational and who is out of control.
Point of View

Husband’s Point of View. The husband has a very different perception of the same set of events, of course.

How do individuals learn all they need to know? A. personal experience B. Discovery C. from what others tell us D. all of these choices
Answer: D

Individuals learn all they need to know from personal experience, discovery and from what others tell us.