Introduction to Social Science

Definition

• Social science is the study of society and the relationships among individuals within a society.

Key Disciplines

1. Sociology
   • Examines social behavior, institutions, and structures.
2. Psychology
   • Studies the mind and behavior of individuals.
3. Anthropology
   • Focuses on human cultures, development, and evolution.
4. Political Science
   • Analyzes systems of governance and political activity.
5. Economics
   • Studies production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
6. Human Geography
   • Explores spatial aspects of human existence, including urban and rural settings.

Research Methods

• Qualitative Methods

  • Interviews, focus groups, ethnography.
  • Emphasizes understanding meanings and experiences.

• Quantitative Methods

  • Surveys, statistical analysis, experiments.
  • Focuses on numerical data and patterns.

Importance of Social Science

• Informs policy making and societal structures.
• Enhances understanding of social dynamics and human behavior.
• Contributes to personal and community development.

Major Theoretical Frameworks

1. Functionalism

   • Views society as a system of interconnected parts working together.

2. Conflict Theory

   • Focuses on power struggles and inequalities within society.

3. Symbolic Interactionism

   • Examines how individuals create shared meanings and symbols.

Current Trends in Social Science

• Increased focus on globalization and its effects.
• Use of big data and technology in social research.
• Interdisciplinary approaches integrating multiple social science fields.

Applications

• Social science knowledge is applied in education, healthcare, urban planning, public policy, and business.

Challenges

• Issues such as ethics in research, bias, and the changing nature of society continually reshape social science study.

Social Science

• The study of society and the relationships among individuals within a society.

Key Disciplines

• Sociology: Examines social behavior, institutions, and structures.
• Psychology: Studies the mind and behavior of individuals.
• Anthropology: Focuses on human cultures, development, and evolution.
• Political Science: Analyzes systems of governance and political activity.
• Economics: Studies production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
• Human Geography: Explores spatial aspects of human existence, including urban and rural settings.

Research Methods

• Qualitative Methods: Interviews, focus groups, ethnography. Emphasizes understanding meanings and experiences.
• Quantitative Methods: Surveys, statistical analysis, experiments. Focuses on numerical data and patterns.

Importance of Social Science

• Informs policy making and societal structures.
• Enhances understanding of social dynamics and human behavior.
• Contributes to personal and community development.

Major Theoretical Frameworks

• Functionalism: Views society as a system of interconnected parts working together.
• Conflict Theory: Focuses on power struggles and inequalities within society.
• Symbolic Interactionism: Examines how individuals create shared meanings and symbols.

Current Trends

• Increased focus on globalization and its effects.
• Use of big data and technology in social research.
• Interdisciplinary approaches integrating multiple social science fields.

Applications

• Social science knowledge is applied in education, healthcare, urban planning, public policy, and business.

Challenges

• Issues such as ethics in research, bias, and the changing nature of society continually reshape social science study.

Explore the key disciplines and research methods of social science. This quiz covers sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, and economics, providing insights into the study of society. Understand how qualitative and quantitative methods contribute to social research.