Overview of “Knowing” Rabbit Stew Definitions/Terminology
Direct Experience? Other sources? Authority Tradition How is scientific knowledge different from other ways of knowing stuff?
Scientific Knowledge Logical Supported by EMPERICAL evidence Science is… Causal Probabilistic Be careful of pointing out the “isolated exception”
The trouble with humans Inaccurate observations Overgeneralization Selective observation Illogical reasoning HOW DOES SCIENCE GUARD AGAINST THESE PROBLEMS?
Premodern Modern Postmodern
Theory A formal statement of how two or more concepts relate Theory is different from… Belief or philosophy “Normative” versus “Empirical” The Death Penalty as an example
Variables Literally, something that “varies” Typically used to lump individuals into particular groups Examples? Attributes Specific levels or values under a particular variable Typically: Concept Variable Attributes
Idiographic vs. nomothetic Induction vs. deduction Qualitative vs. quantitative Pure vs. applied
All resources are NOT CREATED EQUAL Should a Time Magazine article be treated the same as a article in the journal Criminology? Should a statement made on a web site be given the same weight as one made in a published book?
Accuracy Authority Objectivity Currency