Making Sense of the Social World 4 th Edition

1. Making Sense of the Social World 4th Edition Chapter 1: Science, Society, and Social Research

2. Science A set of logical, systematic, documented methodsfor investigating nature and natural processes; the knowledge produced by these investigations.

3. Social Science The use of scientific methods to investigate individuals, societies, and social processes; the knowledge produced by these investigations.

4. We can see the social world more clearly if we use the methods of social science.

5. Science relies on logical and systematic methods to answer questions, and it does so in a way that allows others to inspect and evaluate its methods. Social scientists develop, refine, apply, and report their understanding of the social world more systematically, or “scientifically,” than the general public does.

6. Social Science Research Methods Reduce the likelihood of overgeneralization by using systematic procedures for selecting individuals or groups to study, so that they are representative of the individuals or groups to which we wish to generalize.

7. For example, consider the assertion that: “Heavy Internet users are anti-social…” … we can certainly find many confirming instances. But what about elderly people who serve as Internet pen pals for grade school children, or therapists who deliver online counseling? And what about heavy Social Media users?

8. Social science methods can reduce the risk of selective or inaccurate observation by requiring that we measure and sample phenomena systematically.

9. To avoid illogical reasoning, social researchers use explicit criteria and processes to identify whether a particular cause led to a particular effect.

10. Scientific methods lessen the tendency to answer questions about the social world from ego-based commitments, excessive devotion to tradition, and/or unquestioning respect for authority. Social scientists insist: Show us the evidence!