Social Science

Operational definitions

A meaning so precise that it allows for empirical testing

Social Science Method

1) Observation: look at people/societies 2) Define the Problem: what is the topic and why is that a problem? 3) Review the Literature: What have others done about it? 4) Formulate a hypothesis 5) Choose a research study: What is your approach? (Case study? Survey- research?) 6) Collect and Analyze data 7) Draw Conclusions: summarize you findings. how do they relate to the literature? What are some further questions that you have?

Stanford Prison Experiment

1971, controversial psychological study that sought to simulate the prison experience. Created by Zimbardo and funded by the Naval Institute of Research. Included 24 male students, half playing prisoners, half playing guards. After two weeks the experiment was cut short because it became unethical. It proved that expected roles/situations affects behavior/interactions.

Hypothesis

A state proposing a specific relationship between phenomena.

Case study

Allow for in-depth research of people, events, countries, elections, or other political questions. However, information obtained may not apply to other cases. The range of questions investigated is also narrow. I does not allow for any generalizations. It is also time-bound.

Qualitative

Characterized by: small N (5-10) Simple statistics thick in details

Natural Science

Comprised of two branches, Life (living organisms, zoology, botany) and Physical (Physics, chemistry, matter, motion, astronomy) sciences. Called 'hard sciences' or 'pure science'.

Applied Science

Developing more practical applications and procedures (engineering, Computer science, agricultural science)

Quantitative

Mathematical approaches to the examination of political phenomena. Characterized by: Large N (100+) Complex and sophisticated statistics thin in details

Humanities

Emphasized spiritual values, emotions, feelings, human culture, and seeking the meaning of life. (Language, art, music, philosophy, religion, history).

Micro economics

Focused on the economy affects the individual (examples, 1 household/ 1 firm/ 1 company). Has a smaller focus.

Psychology

Focuses on behavior and mental processes. Looks at the personality of individuals (emotions, memory, intelligence, perceptions). Social psychology focus on how an individual affects/impacts social groups.

Economics

Focuses on needs and wants. It looks at productions, distribution, and consumption. It analyzes different economic systems (free market, command economy, etc.) and which ones are effective.

Psychologist's view of terrorism

How do societies cope with the stress associated with terrorism?

Political scientist's view of terrorism

How does it affect the government?

Experiment

Investigates a test group and a control group. However, researchers have to be aware that their subjects may change their behaviors because they know they are being studied, and that investigators unwittingly convey their expectations on to the subjects.

Social Science

Looks at human and societal behaviors/ interactions. It is considered a modern science and has four sub fields; political science, economics, sociology, and psychology.

Macro economics

Looks at national economies for things like overall inflation and unemployment rates.

Survey Research

Make it possible to gather and statistically analyze large amounts of information. Includes two kinds of participant collection: Stratified (random) sampling, and cluster sampling. However, wordings, sampling, and other problems may complicate the research process results. Large samples also do not provide close-up, in-depth details of a case study. Participants may also be dishonest, and skew the data.

Human Knowledge

Natural Science, Applied Science, Humanities, and Social Science

Causation

One variable causes the other

Dismal Science

Term coined for Economics. It originally emerged when people were fighting against slavery in an economic sense. Then it got the label, dismal, as a badge of honor, for standing up for what was right.

Political Science

The main focus is on power and government. The four main fields include American politics (presidency and congress), Comparative politics (looks at other country's governments), International Relations (how countries react with one another), and Political Theory (major ideas and ideologies).

Sociology

The study of social behavior and human groups. Focuses on relationships, interactions, family dynamics, community, organizations, workplaces, social movements, and gangs. Also looks at social structures like class, gender, and ethnicity.

Economist's view of terrorism

What are the economic costs and impacts?

Sociologist's view of terrorism

What is the background of the terrorists?

dependent variables

variables being acted on

Independent variable

variables that act on, or affect something

Correlation

when one variable changes, the other variable changes too