Social science
Question 1.
Last week we talked about how differences in individual’s is a challenge in social science research. This is a related topic. Much of the research in physical sciences depends on observation and conclusions can be made on those observations. In medical research reaction of cells to certain chemicals always elicits predictable responses that can be used to categorize and evaluate the cells. Chemical reactions are predictable and observable. Much about the human experience- our thoughts feelings emotions etc are not directly observable. This means in studying people we much operationalize non-observable experiences into observable phenomenon that we can see and measure. However there are limitations to this. Take for example the pain measure used in most hospitals. Patients are asked to rate their pain on a scale of 1 (no pain at all) to 10 the most (unbearable pain you can imagine). This is a standard tool of diagnosis. However there is a level of subjectivity involved here. A person that has a high pain tolerance may have just as severe symptoms but rate their pain lower than someone with a high pain tolerance. a person that has experience much pain in the past may rate their pain differently than someone that has experienced very little pain. In most social science research we attempt to find some way to observe and categorize subjective experiences but unlike the physical sciences our metric is not predictable- culture, language, age, gender, sex, temperament and a variety of other social factors further contribute to variability that makes interpreting subjective human behavior difficult.
As if that wasn’t enough challenge not only is the experience research subjects subjective, so is the observation. Observation is impacted by the observer. To go back to our example above- a patients recording of their pain on a scale is subjective however how their pain scale is interpreted by the doctor or nurse is also subjective. A patient may record their pain as a 6 or 7 but the nurse or doctor may have a great deal of experience with this particular illness and injury- perhaps they have even had it themselves. If their own pain was very severe they may believe the patient is in more pain than they are reporting. If their experience was mild they may believe the patient is overstating their pain. so treatment depends on both the subjective report of the patient and the subjective interpretation of the doctor or nurse. in social science much of what we study depends upon interpretation but that interpretation is not fully objective because it depends upon the researchers understanding and interpretation.
We use social research methods to give us a structure in our research with rules that ensure as much objectivity as possible but is is enough?
Discuss the problems of subjectivity in social science research. How do research methods improve our ability to get good information? What are the limitations to research methods? what are your thoughts on subjectivity in the social sciences?
Question 2.
Read
Social science research See the attached PDF
Chapters 2-4 (pages 18-43 from the top information line or 9-34 on the text)
and
Boundless- using the scientific methods from theory to conclusion
Is you click on Boundless and it doesn’t take to the site us the link below.
https://www.boundless.com/psychology/textbooks/boundless-psychology-textbook/researching-psychology-2/the-scientific-method-26/using-the-scientific-method-from-theory-to-conclusion-123-12658/
Why is the scientific method important for social science research?
Briefly explain what the following concepts are and why they are important for social science research
Paradigms
Concepts
Constructs
Theory
Research design (how is a research design different from a research method?)
Last week you chose a topic and drafted some possible questions about your topic
List some concepts that relate to your research question – how can you operationalize these concepts? What variables will be important for your question?
Topic:
Socioeconomic status
Questions:
1. What has the greatest impact on the development of socioeconomic status?
2. Is it possible for someone to change their socioeconomic status? Does changing that status also affect the bias other people may have about them?
3. What social class is more afflicted by socioeconomic status?
4. Does socioeconomic status change as a person gets older?
5. Does education impact socioeconomic status?
Look at the common mistakes in research section (pages 32-33) which of these are you most in danger of with your question- what are some solutions?
