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  • MET Fall2012 Lecture2

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    Andy Wong
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    The document discusses research methods in social sciences, including the scientific method of asking questions, identifying variables, developing hypotheses, finding evidence, making generalizations, and formulating theories. It also discusses how social science can be used for critical thinking to make evidence-based decisions in various areas of life like politics, consumer choices, policy development, relationships, and social commentary. Finally, it provides guidance on how to read news reports about an upcoming Quebec election by identifying key issues, finding related news stories from different sources, analyzing similarities and differences across reports, and considering the potential influences and perspectives of different reporters and media organizations.

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    The document discusses research methods in social sciences, including the scientific method of asking questions, identifying variables, developing hypotheses, finding evidence, making generalizations, and formulating theories. It also discusses how social science can be used for critical thinking to make evidence-based decisions in various areas of life like politics, consumer choices, policy development, relationships, and social commentary. Finally, it provides guidance on how to read news reports about an upcoming Quebec election by identifying key issues, finding related news stories from different sources, analyzing similarities and differences across reports, and considering the potential influences and perspectives of different reporters and media organizations.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    9 views4 pages

    MET Fall2012 Lecture2

    Uploaded by

    Andy Wong
    The document discusses research methods in social sciences, including the scientific method of asking questions, identifying variables, developing hypotheses, finding evidence, making generalizations, and formulating theories. It also discusses how social science can be used for critical thinking to make evidence-based decisions in various areas of life like politics, consumer choices, policy development, relationships, and social commentary. Finally, it provides guidance on how to read news reports about an upcoming Quebec election by identifying key issues, finding related news stories from different sources, analyzing similarities and differences across reports, and considering the potential influences and perspectives of different reporters and media organizations.

    Copyright:

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    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
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    Research Methods in the Social Sciences

    The Scientific Method

    What is the scientific method?


    Empirical: information acquired by means of observation or experimentation. Steps:
    Ask a question Identify variables Develop a hypothesis Find evidence (or find no evidence) Make generalizations Formulate theories

    Social Science and Critical Thinking


    Understand and evaluate information. Make evidence-based decisions as a socially engaged individual.
    Electing political representatives Consumer decision making Policy development and political action (e.g. protesting) Interpersonal relationships Social commentary free speech

    Reading through the news


    Identify one (or more )key issue(s) shaping the upcoming September 4th Quebec Election. In a sentence or two (your own words), identify the issue(s). Find a selection of newsprint stories about the event. (In English or French). List the names of the newspapers. Do the same for TV broadcasts. List the networks. Determine similarities and differences across the reports. How might you explain the differences? Can you find more information on your sources (i.e. the individual journalist, the newspaper publisher, the TV broadcaster). What questions are you left with?

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