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Soc 2155. Overview of “Knowing” Rabbit Stew Definitions/Terminology . How do you KNOW stuff?. Direct Experience? Other sources? Authority Tradition How is scientific knowledge different from other ways of knowing stuff?. Science 101. Scientific Knowledge Logical
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Soc 2155 Overview of “Knowing” Rabbit Stew Definitions/Terminology
How do you KNOW stuff? • Direct Experience? • Other sources? • Authority • Tradition • How is scientific knowledge different from other ways of knowing stuff?
Science 101 • Scientific Knowledge • Logical • Supported by EMPERICAL evidence • Science is… • Causal • Probabilistic • Be careful of pointing out the “isolated exception”
Science attempts to overcome human limitations • The trouble with humans • Inaccurate observations • Overgeneralization • Selective observation • Illogical reasoning • HOW DOES SCIENCE GUARD AGAINST THESE PROBLEMS?
Philosophical Views of Reality • Premodern • Modern • Postmodern
Theory as the “pillar” of science • Theory • A formal statement of how two or more concepts relate • Theory is different from… • Belief or philosophy • “Normative” versus “Empirical” • The Death Penalty as an example
Variables and Attributes • Variables • Literally, something that “varies” • Typically used to lump individuals into particular groups • Examples? • Attributes • Specific levels or values under a particular variable • Typically: Concept Variable Attributes
Ways to categorize research • Idiographic vs. nomothetic • Induction vs. deduction • Qualitative vs. quantitative • Pure vs. applied
Evaluating Research sources • All resources are NOT CREATED EQUAL • Should a Time Magazine article be treated the same as a article in the journal Criminology? • Should a statement made on a web site be given the same weight as one made in a published book?
Guidelines for Evaluating Sources of Information • Accuracy • Authority • Objectivity • Currency