PS398 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Nomothetic, Axiology, Emic And Etic
Document Summary
Science broadly defined as the systematic quest for kowledge. Philosophy of science refers to the conceptual roots undergirding the quest for knowledge. A set of interrelated assumptions about the social world which provides a philosophical and conceptual framework for the organized study of that world. Paradigm guides researcher about research and in selection of tools, instruments, participants, methods. Idiographic: greek "idios" meaning applying to the individual . Nomothetic: greek "nomos" refers to application to people generally, ex general patterns of universal statements or laws. Idographic research focuses on understanding the individual as unique, complex entity. Nomothetic research focuses on uncovering general patterns of behaviour that have a normative base. Nomothetic has primary goal of prediction and explanation of phenomena rather than individual in- depth understanding. Nomothetic writing is most often objective and interpersonal w a focus on generalizable findings. Etic = universal laws and behaviours that transcend nations and cultures, apply to all humans.
