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