...Law, K.Y. School of Arts and Social Sciences The Open University of Hong Kong Abstract The paper reviews the main difference between scientific investigation and non-scientific investigation and the change of the scientific principles from different approach. In the first section of the text, the author describes the definitions of scientific investigation and non-scientific investigation and the different of both researches. Furthermore, Using the example to explain the difference between the two, so that a better understanding. The second section of this study is to present three styles of scientific principles; it’s divided to positivist search, interpretive search and critical search. It’s analyze the different of the above search and described their characteristic and feature Introduction Scientific investigation is the way in which scientists and researchers use a systematic approach to answer questions about the world around the people. A scientific investigation is an empirical (measurable) study of a question using the scientific method. The main parts are listed below: (1) problem: the question people intend to answer, (2) hypothesis: the best anticipated guess to the outcome of the question, (3) experiment: study is carried out and the results are measured, (4) Results: the data/information measured during the experiment is organized in a meaningful way. Charts/graphs/tables are made, (5)discussion/analysis: the results are interpreted...
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...Annotated Bibliography Inquiry Question: Can the use of social media lead to depression? Bebinger Martha, “Social Media Anxiety Disorder (SMAD): The Next New Medical Condition?”. Wbur’s Common Health Reform and Reality. Web. 10 April 2012 Summary: This article done by Martha Bebinger on Wbur’s Common Health Reform and Reality website gives you the inside story of how a woman felt after creating a post on social media. Martha then goes on to explain that after the woman had searched the internet for any and all answers explaining how she felt how she then turned to an expert by the name of Stefan Hofmann who is the director of the Social Anxiety Program at Boston University’s Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders. Evaluation: I found this article through on online search. I find it to be creditable for the following reasons. First, the article is published on a WBUR’S website which has won hundreds of awards for reporting, features and news series, and investigation reports. Secondly, Martha Bebinger is a very well known reporter for WBUR’S and is know for her reliable and creditable reports. Response: Bebinger gives an excellent example of how average every day the overwhelming effects of social media can instantly affect people. Bebinger also does a great job of presenting the facts that support her story. Benjamin, Kathy. "9 Ways Facebook Is Changing People's Lives." Mental Floss. 19 Apr 2012: n. page. Web. 27 Mar. 2013 Summary: This article found on the Mental...
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...things) and epistemological nature (how the knower discovers the knowledge about the reality). Ontology and epistemology Before researchers embark on their journey to explore social phenomena, they need to clarify what their ontological and epistemological stances are. Just as every project has its start and finish, so does academic research. The first stage of academic research is for inquirers to ask a research question, answers for which will be learnt using proper research methods. Researchers can go about answering the research question quantitatively, qualitatively or utilizing mixed methods. It is believed that while undertaking academic research, ontologies and epistemologies, also called paradigms, must be defined separately from research methods, although these constituents are interlaced and they shape each other (Crotty 2003; Guba and Lincoln 1994; Poetschke 2003; Scotland 2012; Grix 2002). The word ontology is derived from two Greek words meaning being and word. Ontology deals with the world and the question whether the reality exists regardless of our knowledge about it or not. There are two contrasting philosophical traditions: positivism looking at reality as being real, true and concrete and interpretivism looking at the world as socially constructed. While positivist ontology is the one of realism, interpretivist ontology refers to relativism. The proponents of the first view acknowledge objects existing without our knowledge about them whereas advocates...
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...WEBER and EMILE DURKHEIM to the research methodology used in social sciences” INTRODUCTION The paper mainly concerns the contributions of MARX, WEBER and DURKHEIM to the methodology in social sciences. The various methodologies in social sciences establish a connection with the societal implications which have a large impact over the society and its normative effects. Referring to the contributions by the following sociologists, all have a different and influential impact on the factors of society. The methodology of various sociologists reflects their attitude towards the society and its various customs and traditions. The following mentioned are the various methodologies adopted by sociologists in the field of social sciences. Marxist sociology emerged around late 19th/early 20th century, influenced by the thought of Karl Marx. Marx is seen as one of the most influential thinkers in early sociology, alongside thinkers such as Max Weber and Émile Durkheim. KARL MARX The theory propounded by Karl Marx is Marxism; in a nutshell it is the theory and practice of working-class emancipation. Marxism is also a method of looking at the world. One of the most important foundations of Marx's method was dialectical thought. Marx relied a lot on historical materialism and dialecticism to propound his theories in social science. Marx relied heavily on these two methods for social science research. Historical materialism starts...
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...Research Defined * A systematic attempt to provide answers to questions or problems. It is a “scientific study”. * The manner in which men solve the knotty problems in their attempt to push back the frontiers of human ignorance. Characteristics of Research 1. Research begins with a question in the mind of the researcher. 2. Research requires q plan. 3. Research demands a clear statement of the problem. 4. Research deals with the main problem through subproblems. 5. Research seeks direction through appropriate hypotheses. 6. Research deals with facts and their meaning. 7. Research is circular. Purposes and Goals of Research 1. To discover new facts about known phenomena. 2. To find answers to problems which are only partially solved by existing methods and information. 3. Improve existing techniques and develop new instruments or product. 4. TO discover previously unrecognized substances or elements. 5. Discover pathways of action of known substances and elements. 6. To order related, valid generalizations into systematized science. 7. To provide basis for decision making in business, industry, education, government, and in other undertakings. 8. To satisfy the researcher’s curiosity. 9. To find answers to queries by means of scientific methods. 10. To acquire a better and deeper understanding about one phenomenon. 11. To expand or verify existing knowledge. The Research Process Research holds...
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...a discussion a few years ago during which we established a shared interest in a revival of the sort of scholarly innovation that characterized the early years of the HIV epidemic. As far back as the early 1980s, social theorists, cultural, critics, artists and others created a vibrant body of work on HIV/AIDS. Working from various theoretical and disciplinary sites they steadfastly emphasized the ‘social’ for understanding the significance of AIDS and opened up new avenues for critiquing and re-imagining scientific, cultural and social responses to infectious disease. At its best, this work served also as an impetus for queer theory, various feminist critiques and a range of research under the rubric of science, medicine and technology studies. The contributions made by this early work and its effects on public discourse on HIV/AIDS were multiple. Among the more groundbreaking contributions worth underscoring here were analyses that destabilized the neutrality of scientific knowledge and practice, emphasizing the malleability and culture-bound nature of its disease definitions (Martin, 1994) as well as...
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...the annual meetings of the American Sociological Association, San Francisco, 1998. © 2005 Royce A. Singleton, Jr. Is Sociology a Science? A Classroom Exercise for Promoting Discussion Abstract Though sociology was founded on the idea that the social order is subject to scientific study, the “science” question remains controversial. By learning about this controversy, students can learn much about the discipline. This paper describes an exercise, together with data collected from six classes, that asks students to project their personal images of scientists and social scientists. These images invariably contain half-truths and misconceptions that can be used to address three related questions: (1) What is science? (2) How is sociology scientific? and (3) What are the major challenges to sociology as a science? I draw upon my own students’ responses to show how the exercise can generate a wide-ranging discussion of these issues. Is Sociology a Science? A Classroom Exercise for Promoting Discussion The question of whether sociology is a science has a long history in the discipline. It was addressed by virtually all the classical social theorists. But for some time the debate about the scientific status of sociology was muted. In the post-World War II period up to the early 1960s, quantitative methods were ascendant and theorists and methodologists alike embraced sociology as a positivist endeavor. Since then, however, a sharp division has arisen “between those who are...
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...Continental philosophy emerged from the German Idealists (Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Freud, etc). Some other well known continental philosophers are Heidegger, Derrida, Foucault, Sartre, and Husserl. Continental philosophers generally reject most science and scientific ways of doing anything (even science). They like to look at philosophy from historical approach, combining thoughts from all sorts of philosophers and looking at concepts like context, time, space, etc. They do not analyze philosophy in terms of looking at only one specific text, but instead look broadly at all texts. Continental philosophers also value human experience and human agency (action). Here is an Example: I am who I am because of the choices we made. I’m who I am because I go to college, I have a family and kids, I have a job… Recently development shows us the Pragmatism is likely the theory of a meaning, an inquiry, a truth and an ethics. In that aspect Pragmatism can be declared as cohesion between different opinions. Furthermore Pragmatism can be a bridge which balances those differences and get those theories in to synthesis. It is be against of Preconception, Dogmatism and Authoritative solutions. But in a contrary way, Pragmatism considers importance of pluralism, collective notion and humanism. Thus Pragmatism is being as an evolutionary liberal philosophy. Pragmatism is being developed mainly by Charles Sanders Pierce, William James and John Dewey. In generally Pragmatism considered in...
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...What is Research? - Systematic enquiry aimed at providing information to solve problems (to guide business decisions) - Research entails carrying out of a diligent inquiry/a critical examination of a given phenomenon – hence exhaustive study, investigation or experimentation following some logical sequence - Research involves a critical analysis of existing conclusion or theories with regard to newly discovered facts – thus continued search for new knowledge and understandilg of the world. - Process of arriving at an effective solutions to problems thus systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data. - A voyage of discovery; A journey; An attitude; An experience; A method of critical thinking; A careful critical enquiry in seeking facts for principles - An art of scientific investigation o Scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic o Process of arriving at dependable solutions to problems through the planned and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of data - A systematized effort to gain new knowledge; A movement from the known to the unknown o Search for (new) knowledge/ facts through objective, systematic and scientific method of finding solution to a problem o Implicit question + Explicit answer + data to answer the question o Not synonymous with commonsense, but systematic, objective (purposeful), reproducible, relevant activity having control over some factors - An activity caused by instinct...
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...Compare and contrast the major characteristics of two methods of sociological inquiry. Your answer should clarify how: Each method relates to a distinct tradition of social research (e.g., positivism, interpretivism or the critical tradition); Addresses the issue of objectivity and; Account for the relationship between the natural and the social sciences. Research methods are a crucial part to understanding society. Without research methods, scientists and researchers would not be able to understand the why, the how or the what. There are three main traditions in social research; Positivism, Interpretivism and Critical Tradition. In this essay, the writer will examine two of these traditions; positivism and interpretivism. The writer will talk about each of these traditions, the history and the type of research method each are. The writer will discuss examples of each tradition, a qualitative research method and a quantitative research method. The writer will then go on to discuss the contributions of two major sociologists in each; Emile Durkheim for Positivism and Max Weber for Interpretivism. The writer will then go on to compare and contrast each tradition. Positivism was first established by French philosopher Auguste Comte in the early 19th century. Positivism can be defined as ‘’ the tendency to develop the means of our reason either to predict the phenomena of nature or to modify them through our intervention, which is the characteristic feature...
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...1000’s of years before it was known to be a formal discipline. It evolved from “ideas” of early philosophers into a science of its own. Centuries ago Western Philosophers began the formation of psychology as a branch of philosophy, but explored the subject in a more rationale scientific way throughout the years. Just as it took centuries for the science of psychology to implore, it was and still is, developing into the 19th century. Beginnings of Psychology Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt was a German physiologist, physician, philosopher, professor, and psychologist. He is well known as the “father of experimental psychology (Bringmann, 1975). At the University of Leipzig he founded the very first formal laboratory for psychological research in 1879. In the laboratory the exploration basically of the subconscious and conscience mind began. He studied the nature of religious beliefs and how they”conditioned” human behavior. Wundt also researched the damaged parts of the brain; he started identifying mental disorders and abnormal behaviors (Bringmann, 1975). With this research Wundt was able to separate psychology as a science from philosophy. In 1881, Wundt created the first journal for psychological research. Wundt also wrote, Principles of Physiological in 1874, which was very important in the development of psychology. In the Principles work Wundt introduced a system of internal perception, which investigated the immediate experiences of our subconscious through feelings, emotions...
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... Science is a process for producing knowledge. What is this process dependent on? It is dependent upon the careful study and observation of the world and universe, and then creating theories that can be tested and possibly disproven from these observations. Without the possibility of disproving theories, the process of producing knowledge would come to a complete and utter halt. 3. Most “scientific knowledge is durable”. What does this mean? It means it will stand the test of time. Although science is subject to change, the knowledge that we have now has to be disproven, and therefore, is “durable.” 4. Can all questions humans ask be answered scientifically (i.e., using scientific investigation? No. Many questions humans ask deal with the supernatural, i.e. miracles, the existence of ghosts. Science can neither prove these types of questions, nor disprove them. Science cannot dispute between good and evil, nor the morals of a human being. Scientific Inquiry: 5. Reliance on evidence, hypothesis testing, theory development, logic, etc. are important in producing scientific knowledge. What are some of the characteristic features of scientifically valid work? To answer this, make a few points concerning - getting...
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...Philosophy of Science (All Science, not just social science) During the time of the ancient Greeks—that is, Socrates and Plato, but before them and after them as well, the study of “philosophy” (Greek for “love of wisdom”) began. At that time, philosophy included both the natural and physical sciences as well what we know as philosophy today. The development of philosophy created a tension between philosophy, science, and religion. Remember that Socrates was put to death for allegedly questioning the existence of the official state-worshiped gods. This tension between philosophy, science and religion continued through the 1400’s and 1500’s when the European “Enlightenment” emphasized the concept that both “rational thought” and “science” was separate from religion. Today, they are still generally in tension. Whether these methods of gaining knowledge are consistent or not is constantly debated among scientists, theologians, and philosophers. Science=observation of the physical universe which includes (beginning in the late 1800’s) the study of human behavior using our five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell); Religion=the study of the “divine” (i.e., god, however a person conceives of that notion, and it’s implications) Philosophy=the study of questions unanswerable by science through the use of “reason” (rational thought) alone. Thus, there are 4 different philosophical views on how humans can obtain knowledge: 1. mysticism/divine revelation—a...
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...Findings from a variety of research support that EBP improves the quality of care, patient satisfaction, enhances health outcomes, and reduces costs (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015). The use of evidence-based practice has a significant impact in reducing cost in the health care system, in contrast to using outdated practices and policies. (Saba, V. K. & McCormick, K. A., 2011). Implementation of EBP benefits nurses since they would use their resources effectively and methodically instead of being wasted in the trying to provide competent client care with unsupported traditions. (Hanberg & Brwon, 2006). EBP has been recognized as a crucial factor in meeting the Triple Aim in healthcare, which are enhancing the patient experience,...
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...informal education. In order to solve everyday problems, children consciously or unconsciously engage in scientific thinking and analysis of situations. This scientific approach to solving everyday problems needs to be encouraged and developed in a formal educational setting where teachers continuously change and organize curriculum and instruction to meet the needs of their children (Poon, Tan & Tan, 2009). The best environment that fosters and develops structured scientific analytical thinking is the school, where the child spends the major section of his/her day when he/she is away from home. It is within the school environment that formal learning takes place. Acceptable attitudes and values which the child inculcates are transmitted by the teacher who is specifically trained to teach at given levels. The training of the teacher in the use of the most effective methods of teaching is therefore the first and foremost important goal preceding the child’s education, especially since it has been established that teachers go on to teach science in the same way that they have been taught (Marshall & Dorward, 2000). Upon investigation, in private as well as public schools, we have been privy to two familiar methods of teaching science in the elementary and kindergarten classrooms. The two common methods are the inquiry and the direct instruction methods of teaching. The inquiry method of teaching is practiced mainly by a lot of public school teachers in the kindergarten classes...
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