POLSCI 381 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Karl Popper, Scientific Method, Falsifiability
Document Summary
A well-established procedure for research that includes both systematic empirical observation and controlled comparison. Controlled comparison there has to be an intent to the comparison. The variable that explains the variation in the dependent variable. An indication of how you think those two variable are connected. Must be able to prove our claims by relying on objective observation - can"t just appeal to logic. Can"t say rich people must vote republican because they tax the rich less . Must be able to find data that would prove a theory false. You can"t falsify that - you could be looking forever. As income increases, people are more likely to vote republican. You can find data that opposes that. Every rich person will eventually vote republican. You aren"t trying to say what people should do. Even if you find something that you disagree with, you have to make it public.
