Science and Research What is science? A way of testing ideas and acquiring knowledge through repeated and evaluated observation and analysis What isn’t science? Authority Tradition Common sense Media myth Personal experience

Authority Information gained from authority figures, such as parents, experts, or officials This information is treated as knowledge because of the status of the authority figure Examples Skull size, race and intelligence Fad diets ?

Tradition Authority through history Traditional knowledge is often distorted over time Working Mothers Example Have women worked before? Was crime lower in the past? ?

Common Sense Ordinary reasoning and shared information Common sense can be a combination of science and misinformation/prejudice Examples Abused children grow up to be abusers The death penalty dissuades people from murder ?

Media Myths The goal is entertainment, not education Often portrays myths and stereotypes The media relies on itself for information, which leads to inflation of some issues Examples Road rage Satanic abuse of children ?

Personal Experience A forceful source of knowledge We accept what we see/hear/feel as true, and apply that knowledge to other situations Overgeneralization Selective observation Premature closure Halo effect

Personal Experience Examples OSU students are…. Private school students are… Ohioans are…. Californians are…. Men are…. Women are….

Pseudoscience or Pop Science Over-extension or reinterpretation of legitimate research May promote a specific political or social view Can be confusing to consumers because uses all the hallmarks of science Examples The Bell Curve ?

Social Research is... A way to answer questions about people and their behaviors and attitudes A collection of methods used to systematically produce knowledge A scientific endeavor

Research vs. Alternatives “State Dept. PR envoy takes trip to fight Anti- Americanism in the Middle East” What do people of the Middle East think about America? Alternative Knowledge? Research: Katherine Meyer’s current work shows that most Middle Easterners support democracy, freedom and human rights

Research vs. Alternatives “the Census Bureau said poverty had risen for the fourth straight year” What is the state of poverty in the US? Alternative Knowledge? Research: the majority of the poor are young, female and white; most move in and out of poverty; as much as 80% of social welfare goes to the non-poor

Research vs. Alternatives “U.S. Crime Rate Holds at 30-Year Low” Is Crime a bigger problem these days? Alternative Knowledge? Research: violent crime has decreased in the past 10 yrs; black men are the most frequent victims of crime; media reporting has increased fear of crime

Major Uses of Social Research To find answers to practical questions To build basic knowledge about society To make informed decisions To change society

Elements of Good Social Research Think logically but use creativity and inspiration Combine theories and ideas with facts and data Organize and plan the work Seek out and incorporate constructive criticism Act ethically and responsibly Communicate your work clearly

Scientific Norms Universalism: judge research on scientific merit Organized skepticism: challenge and evaluate all findings Disinterestedness: neutral and open to new ideas Communalism: knowledge belongs to everyone; research must be replicable Honesty: dishonesty harms both the researcher and the audience

Steps of the Research Process Select Topic Focus Question Design Study Collect Data Analyze Data Interpret Data Inform Others

Example with OSU Professor Roscigno and Danaher study of strikes Topic: relationship between self-identity change and political opportunities Focus: one historical case Design: examine written records Gather: copies and notes from archives Analyze: plotted results on maps, read lyrics and interviews Interpret: radio stations helped promote worker solidarity Inform: published paper

Example of Steps in Action Found data Analyzed data Determined most significant findings Found related literature Revised research question and analysis Drafted paper Sought comments and criticisms

Chapter Summary Social research generally produces better information about human life than alternative sources We must be critical consumers of information Good social research is organized, creative and ethical