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Questions and Answers
What does social science primarily study?
What does social science primarily study?
Which discipline within social science focuses on the study of government and political behavior?
Which discipline within social science focuses on the study of government and political behavior?
What is a primary method used in quantitative research within social science?
What is a primary method used in quantitative research within social science?
Which subfield of social science examines cultures and their development over time?
Which subfield of social science examines cultures and their development over time?
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What do qualitative methods in social science primarily aim to collect?
What do qualitative methods in social science primarily aim to collect?
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Which of the following is NOT typically considered a discipline within social science?
Which of the following is NOT typically considered a discipline within social science?
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What aspect of social phenomena does sociology particularly examine?
What aspect of social phenomena does sociology particularly examine?
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What is one limitation of quantitative methods in social science research?
What is one limitation of quantitative methods in social science research?
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What is the primary purpose of using mixed methods in social science research?
What is the primary purpose of using mixed methods in social science research?
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Which concept describes the process by which individuals learn societal norms and values?
Which concept describes the process by which individuals learn societal norms and values?
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What does the term 'social inequality' refer to?
What does the term 'social inequality' refer to?
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How can social science research impact policy making?
How can social science research impact policy making?
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What is the ethical principle of 'beneficence' in research?
What is the ethical principle of 'beneficence' in research?
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Which aspect of social science examines the reciprocal influence of individuals?
Which aspect of social science examines the reciprocal influence of individuals?
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What is a key consideration when addressing justice in social science research?
What is a key consideration when addressing justice in social science research?
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Which of the following statements best describes social change?
Which of the following statements best describes social change?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Social Science
- Social science is a branch of science studying society and human behavior.
- It encompasses various disciplines like sociology, psychology, economics, political science, anthropology, and geography.
- Different methods, including observation, interviews, surveys, and experiments are used to examine social phenomena.
- Social science aims to understand the causes and consequences of social phenomena, predict social trends, and develop solutions to social problems.
Key Disciplines within Social Science
- Sociology: Examines society, its structures, institutions, and interactions. It explores social stratification, inequality, deviance, and social change.
- Psychology: Analyzes individual mental processes and behaviors. It includes cognitive processes, emotions, motivations, and interpersonal relationships. Clinical psychology focuses on mental health.
- Economics: Studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. It analyzes markets, trade, economic systems, and economic policies.
- Political Science: Examines government, power, and political behavior. This includes elections, political institutions, public policy, and international relations.
- Anthropology: Explores human cultures, societies, and their development across time and place. It studies cultural beliefs, practices, and social organizations.
- Geography: Studies the earth's surface and the distribution of human populations, resources, and environments. It focuses on the human-place relationship.
- History: A humanities discipline, history informs social science by contextualizing social trends and changes over time.
Research Methods in Social Science
- Quantitative methods: Use statistical analysis of numerical data from large samples. Surveys and experiments are examples. These methods allow for generalizations but might not fully capture social nuances.
- Qualitative methods: Gather detailed descriptive information from smaller samples. Methods include interviews, observations, and case studies. These methods provide in-depth understanding of social phenomena but may limit generalizability.
- Mixed methods: Combine quantitative and qualitative methods for a more comprehensive understanding of social phenomena. This approach leverages the strengths of both methods.
Key Concepts in Social Science
- Culture: Shared values, beliefs, behaviors, and practices of a group or society.
- Socialization: How individuals learn and internalize societal norms and values.
- Social interaction: The reciprocal influence of individuals on each other.
- Social structure: Pattened arrangements of roles, statuses, and institutions (family, education, government) in a society.
- Power: The ability to influence or control others' behavior in economic, political, or social contexts.
- Social inequality: Unequal distribution of resources and opportunities among social groups.
- Social change: Modifications to existing social patterns, driven by technology, social movements, or power shifts.
Application of Social Science
- Policy making: Social science research informs policy decisions in areas like public health, education, criminal justice, and environmental protection, by identifying contributing factors to problems.
- Understanding societal problems: Social science helps understand the root causes of issues like crime, poverty, discrimination, and inequality.
- Improving social conditions: Social science research aids in creating interventions to address social problems and enhance societal well-being.
- Analyzing social issues and trends: Provides frameworks for interpreting social movements, change, and conflict.
Ethical Considerations in Social Science Research
- Respect for persons: Researchers must respect participants' rights and dignity.
- Beneficence: Researchers must minimize harm and maximize benefits to participants.
- Justice: Researchers must ensure equitable distribution of benefits and burdens of research, considering bias and access issues.
- Integrity: Researchers must conduct research honestly, accurately, and transparently.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamentals of social science, including its definition, key disciplines, and methods of study. Participants will learn about sociology, psychology, and other related fields, their focus areas, and how they seek to understand human behavior and social phenomena.
