SOAN 2120 Lecture : SOAN 2120

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology and Anthropology
• Course: SOAN 2120
• Professor: Scott Schau

Document Summary

Science is y a set of logical and empirical methods (drawing, inferences or deductions from hypotheses) y systematic observation experimentation, rigorous, methodology y replication y y epistemology: the science of knowing. Deduction: testing theories or testing hypothesis (quantitative approach) Theory is used to generate ideas about behaviour a research produces evidence for testing theories. Observations/empirical data used to construct theory a derive theories from data. The scientific process involves an alternation of deduction and induction. The scientific method requires three attitudes: curiosity is the motivating force behind scientific inquiry, scepticism means not taking things for granted, critical thinking is productive and creative. Postmodern view (no reality or truth, just different images of it) Scientific knowledge is only true knowledge: fit the facts observed. Note: many critics and is not the only way to look at research. 3 main activities in social research: tentative explanation (theory, observing (experiment/data collection, testing rival views against data (examination of data)