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What do positivists argue is the primary purpose of science?
What do positivists argue is the primary purpose of science?
Which key feature of positivism emphasizes the separation of factual information from personal beliefs?
Which key feature of positivism emphasizes the separation of factual information from personal beliefs?
According to positivists, how can knowledge about the social world be acquired?
According to positivists, how can knowledge about the social world be acquired?
What approach do positivists advocate for studying political phenomena?
What approach do positivists advocate for studying political phenomena?
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Which aspect of Popper's critique of positivism highlights a limitation of empirical induction?
Which aspect of Popper's critique of positivism highlights a limitation of empirical induction?
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What method do positivists use to develop and test hypotheses in political science?
What method do positivists use to develop and test hypotheses in political science?
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In what way do positivists view the social world?
In what way do positivists view the social world?
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What is a major goal of positivist research?
What is a major goal of positivist research?
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What is the primary assumption of positivism regarding the nature of the social world?
What is the primary assumption of positivism regarding the nature of the social world?
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Which of the following best describes the epistemological assumption of positivism?
Which of the following best describes the epistemological assumption of positivism?
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In positivism, what does the principle of 'objectivity' emphasize?
In positivism, what does the principle of 'objectivity' emphasize?
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What does the methodological assumption of empirical observation involve in positivism?
What does the methodological assumption of empirical observation involve in positivism?
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What ontology do positivists hold regarding social realities?
What ontology do positivists hold regarding social realities?
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Which of the following statements contradicts the positivist view on separating facts from values?
Which of the following statements contradicts the positivist view on separating facts from values?
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What is meant by the term 'naturalism' in the assumptions of positivism?
What is meant by the term 'naturalism' in the assumptions of positivism?
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What does the positivist assumption of empiricism state about knowledge acquisition?
What does the positivist assumption of empiricism state about knowledge acquisition?
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What does the problem of induction suggest about conclusions drawn from evidence?
What does the problem of induction suggest about conclusions drawn from evidence?
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What does it mean when a hypothesis is described as having provisional acceptance?
What does it mean when a hypothesis is described as having provisional acceptance?
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How did Popper illustrate the problem of induction using swans?
How did Popper illustrate the problem of induction using swans?
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According to Kuhn's critique, how is scientific progress best characterized?
According to Kuhn's critique, how is scientific progress best characterized?
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What implication does the problem of induction have for political science research?
What implication does the problem of induction have for political science research?
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How does a paradigm influence scientific inquiry according to Kuhn?
How does a paradigm influence scientific inquiry according to Kuhn?
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What role does falsification play in the scientific method according to Popper?
What role does falsification play in the scientific method according to Popper?
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Which of the following accurately reflects the relationship between evidence and hypotheses?
Which of the following accurately reflects the relationship between evidence and hypotheses?
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Which statement reflects a critique of positivism in political science?
Which statement reflects a critique of positivism in political science?
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What example is used to illustrate the democratic peace theory?
What example is used to illustrate the democratic peace theory?
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Which example illustrates a misuse of induction in the context of studying democracy and war?
Which example illustrates a misuse of induction in the context of studying democracy and war?
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What is one key limitation of empirical induction in research highlighted by the critique of positivism?
What is one key limitation of empirical induction in research highlighted by the critique of positivism?
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Which quote emphasizes the process of eliminating the impossible to find truth?
Which quote emphasizes the process of eliminating the impossible to find truth?
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What might a researcher incorrectly conclude based on the problem of induction?
What might a researcher incorrectly conclude based on the problem of induction?
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What concept describes a set of ideas that shapes the scientific community's understanding?
What concept describes a set of ideas that shapes the scientific community's understanding?
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What illustrates the impact of paradigms on observations?
What illustrates the impact of paradigms on observations?
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What role do social networks play in paradigms?
What role do social networks play in paradigms?
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Which of the following are considered gatekeepers to scientific knowledge?
Which of the following are considered gatekeepers to scientific knowledge?
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What aspect can influence the acceptance of an article in the peer review process?
What aspect can influence the acceptance of an article in the peer review process?
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What was the main objective of the Grievances Study, also known as the Sokol Square?
What was the main objective of the Grievances Study, also known as the Sokol Square?
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Which statement best describes paradigms as social structures?
Which statement best describes paradigms as social structures?
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Which factor can affect the type of questions asked during the peer review process?
Which factor can affect the type of questions asked during the peer review process?
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What was the method used in the Grievances Study to test acceptance in journals?
What was the method used in the Grievances Study to test acceptance in journals?
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What overarching theme is suggested by the relationship between the Catholic church and the scientific community during the middle ages?
What overarching theme is suggested by the relationship between the Catholic church and the scientific community during the middle ages?
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What does ideological bias in the peer review process refer to?
What does ideological bias in the peer review process refer to?
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What was one significant finding of the Sokal Hoax study?
What was one significant finding of the Sokal Hoax study?
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In the context of scrutiny, how are paradigm-confirming conclusions treated compared to paradigm-disconfirming conclusions?
In the context of scrutiny, how are paradigm-confirming conclusions treated compared to paradigm-disconfirming conclusions?
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What is the impact of the selection filter in the peer review process?
What is the impact of the selection filter in the peer review process?
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What does the example involving the International Monetary Fund illustrate?
What does the example involving the International Monetary Fund illustrate?
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What do critics of positivism argue regarding the scientific community's role?
What do critics of positivism argue regarding the scientific community's role?
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What consequence does the peer review process's ideological bias have on knowledge production?
What consequence does the peer review process's ideological bias have on knowledge production?
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Which term describes the tendency to scrutinize paradigm disconfirming conclusions more rigorously?
Which term describes the tendency to scrutinize paradigm disconfirming conclusions more rigorously?
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Study Notes
Positivism in Political Science
- Positivism is a model of political science that studies the social world using methods similar to natural sciences.
- Three key assumptions underpin this approach:
- Naturalism: The social world can be studied with the same methods as the natural sciences.
- Objectivism: The social world exists independently of individual thoughts and perceptions.
- Empiricism: Knowledge is gained through observation and experience.
- Positivists advocate for a realist ontology, believing social phenomena, like states and economies, possess an inherent reality beyond individual perspectives.
- Epistemologically, Positivists posit that objective knowledge of the social world is attainable via observation and experience, free from biases.
- Methodologically, Positivists emphasize empirical observation, pattern identification, and using patterns to understand underlying social laws.
- Objectivity is paramount in positivist research, aiming to describe the social world as it is, without bias.
- Positivists believe the purpose of science is descriptive, focusing on what is rather than what ought to be.
- Key features include separation of facts and values, a commitment to objectivity, empiricism, and the use of the natural sciences' methodological principles.
Key Principles of Positivism
- Empiricism: Knowledge derives from sensory experience and observation.
- Objectivity: Positivists strive for unbiased descriptions of the world.
- Scientific Method: Positivists employ the scientific method to develop and test hypotheses about political phenomena.
Critiques of Positivism
-
Karl Popper's Critique: Popper argued that empirical induction is flawed, as observations are finite but conclusions universal. Generalizations can't be definitively proven based on finite observations.
- "Empirical induction" is the process of making general statements about the world based on specific observations.
The Problem of Induction
- The idea that conclusions can never be absolutely certain, even with substantial supporting evidence, due to the inherent limitations of finite observations.
- Illustrative example: Popper's "Swan Example." Observing many white swans doesn't definitively prove all swans are white, as one black swan disproves the generalization.
- Implications for political science research: The possibility of disconfirming evidence challenges the certainty of inductive conclusions in political analysis.
Falsification and the Scientific Method
- Falsification, introduced by Karl Popper, suggests that a hypothesis can be conclusively disproven but not definitively proven.
- Scientists should actively seek evidence that could disprove a hypothesis rather than just confirming it.
- The "Democratic Peace Theory" is used as an illustration of this principle.
Paradigms and the Social Practice of Science
- Kuhn's concept of paradigms highlights the social context of scientific inquiry: A paradigm is a set of ideas, beliefs, and axioms that shape a scientific community's understanding of the world.
- Paradigms influence scientific questions, methods, and observations.
The Impact of Paradigms on Observations
- Ideological environments and scientist socialization can influence what scientists observe and interpret.
- This challenges the notion of objective observation.
Constructivism and the Social Practice of Science
- There are parallels between Kuhn's ideas and Constructivism in political science.
- Kuhn's work highlights the importance of understanding the social context of scientific inquiry.
The Selection Filter
- The process of scrutinizing paradigm disconfirming conclusions more critically than those that confirm a paradigm.
- This "selection filter" allows paradigm-confirming conclusions to enter the conversation more easily, potentially excluding disconfirming ones.
The Social Environment and Scientific Knowledge
- Human aspects of knowledge-creation (e.g., social environment and processes) influence what is considered knowledge.
- This process often happens subtly and without conscious awareness.
Paradigms as Social Structures
- Paradigms are not only ideological constructs but also social structures, influencing knowledge production within scientific communities.
- Gatekeepers (e.g., gatekeepers in academia to influence knowledge) further shape the production of scientific knowledge.
- The peer review process is a social process that plays a role in selecting what knowledge enters the public conversation.
The Grievances Study (Sokal Hoax)
- The study revealed the potential for ideological biases to influence the peer review process.
- The "Sokal Hoax" submitted 20 fake papers to academic journals.
- 7 of the papers were accepted, suggesting the potential influence of ideological biases in knowledge production.
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Description
This quiz explores the key concepts and assumptions of positivism in social science. It examines the purpose of science, the role of objectivity, and the methods used for studying political phenomena. Test your understanding of how positivism shapes the acquisition of knowledge about the social world.