SOC101Y1 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Spurious Relationship, Observational Techniques, Social Theory
Document Summary
Systematic sociological study integrates sound theory with careful methods. Science is organized to minimize error even though it"s not perfect. Prevent wrongful convictions based on lack of good science . Social practice of science is influenced by subjectivity. Subjectivity is important to science but we need to be able to recognize when it is not enough. Separate between real and objective vs. personal and subjective. Our reality is filtered by our values and expectations but they don"t completely determine what we see. We know the sun to set and rise but the sun doesn"t actually move at all, it is us on the earth that is moving. Observer bias is making unconscious mistakes in classifying or selecting observations is commonly discussed as a danger to good methodological procedure. Good research methods are designed to minimize the impact of errors due to the biasing effect that values and expectations have on scientific research.
