SOAN 2120 Study Guide - Pseudoscience, Data Analysis, Nomothetic

• School: University of Guelph
• Department: Sociology and Anthropology
• Course: SOAN 2120
• Professor: Scott Schau

Document Summary

A set of logical & empirical methods (e. g. , drawings inferences or deductions from hypotheses) A set of ideas based on theories put forth as scientific when they are not. Based on authority or sacred text, myths, legends. Often supported by selective use of anecdotes and intuition. The two pillars of science: logic, and, observation. Quantitative evidence: objective, verifiable, controlled observations, precise communication. Example: i"m told that every morning the sun comes out, go out and check everyday if the pattern continues. Qualitative evidence: explanations and descriptions, painstaking analysis of documents, lengthy participation in a group. You need to come up with theories, a logic to explain and describe these things. Theory is used to generate ideas about behaviour research produces evidence for testing theories. Observations/ empirical data used to construct theory derive theories from data. The scientific process involves an alternation of deduction and induction. Hypothesis or premise: typically a general statement about the relationship between two variables.