SCS 2150 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Structural Functionalism, Relate

• School: University of Ottawa
• Department: Social Sciences
• Course: SCS 2150
• Professor: Ivan Katchanovski

Document Summary

A theory is an explanation of observed regularities or patterns. The pu(cid:396)pose is to : assess the adequacy of a particular social theory, gather information to create social theory, understand pressing social problems, explore personal experience. Specific theories : limited in scope and can be tested directly (cid:894)lipset"s theo(cid:396)y of de(cid:373)o(cid:272)(cid:396)a(cid:272)y(cid:895) Grand theories (paradigms): ge(cid:374)e(cid:396)al a(cid:374)d a(cid:271)st(cid:396)a(cid:272)t (cid:272)a(cid:374)(cid:374)ot (cid:271)e tested directly (rational choice, structural functionalism, etc. ) Using deduction, one begins with a theory or explanation for something, then goes out intot he world and tests it. A testable expectation about empirical reality (reality that can be deduced from repeatable observations of the senses) that follows from a more general proposition (a theory) Level of economic development has a positive effect on democracy (can test this by looking at economically developed countries and their practices of de(cid:373)o(cid:272)(cid:396)a(cid:272)y testa(cid:271)le! (cid:895: americans express less support for labour unions than canadians.