What makes social science… Science 1

The word science comes from the Latin scientia meaning knowledge A few lexicographical facts… The word ‘scientist’ was first coined in 1839 Before that, Adam Smith (and others) used the words philosophy, arts, and science interchangeably 2

empiricism An important word… 3 The theory of knowledge that stresses the importance of experience All knowledge must be tested against the realities of the natural world

facts (cause & effect) established through experiments whose results can be replicated variables are controlled results in predictability ultimately patterns are reframed as laws 4

Thomas Hobbes & others proposed a “social physics” – if only social laws, like natural laws, could be articulated and understood… 5

… the world would be a better place. 6

“Such ‘organized complexity’ resists reduction either to deterministic or to statistical models that might be appropriated from the ‘hard’ sciences” Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. A science... or not? 7

Is There Only One Scientific Method? No, there are several models

Most Models Follow This Simple Format

Quantitative Deductive Qualitative Inductive 8

Surveys Interviews Participant Observation Existing Statistics Experiments (Methodology) 9

A General Outline of the Scientific Method Develop a Question Generate a Hypothesis (a possible answer to the question) Develop a Methodology to test the Hypothesis Gather Data using the Methodology Analyze the Data (make sure that the results are consistent or repeatable) Draw Conclusions Make suggestions for further inquiry (So What? What next?)

Women’s Studies Gender Studies Anthropology Social Work Criminology Media Studies Information Studies 11

How is social science communicated? 12