SA 255 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: E.G. Time, Frequency Distribution, Knowledge Economy

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Sociology and Anthropology
• Course: SA 255
• Professor: Nicholas Scott

Document Summary

Deductive: one begins with a theory for something, then goes out into the world and tests it. Gold standard an amazing explanation that explains causal connections between variables and are able to make generalizations. Positivists: social scientists should use similar methods of inquiry as the natural sciences; knowledge must be based on information gathered empirically through the senses; scientific statements exclude normative judgement and subjective bias. Objectivist: social phenomena have a preexisting reality independent of our perceptions; social reality is fixed; we have little control over it. We do(cid:374)"t e(cid:454)peri(cid:373)e(cid:374)t (cid:271)e(cid:272)ause (cid:449)e ha(cid:448)e ethi(cid:272)s. Experiment is about control and isolation: we have to isolate things from the mess of everyday life, this is virtually impossible. Surveys for midterm and final portfolio: census is the best we have currently. Benefit of survey: allow us to look at an entire population, allow us to make connections and educated generalizations.