Scientific Explanations and Research Methods: Variables and Hypothesis Construction in Social Science
Overview
This coursework assignment examines the distinction between scientific explanations and other modes of explanation such as religious and intuitive approaches, emphasizing the role of empirical observation and quantifiable evidence. The paper demonstrates hypothesis construction in social science research by analyzing variables, their relationships, and controlled variables within poverty and opportunity studies.
What this coursework covers
- Distinction between scientific and non-scientific explanations: emphasis on observable facts versus subjective feelings and emotions
- Social science hypothesis development: analysis of dependent and independent variables in poverty and opportunity relationships
- Variable classification and control: examination of education level as a controlled variable and spurious relationships in hypothesis testing
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Research Methods Course
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- Comment briefly on how scientific explanations differs from other modes of explanation such as religious, and intuitive
Scientific explanations are unique from other modes of explanations like religion because the former is based on observed facts. It means that scientific explanations use tangible examples that can be quantified as opposed to intuitive or religious explanations, which mainly depend on feelings and emotions about a subject. Spiritual and intuitive modes also employ instinctive accounts, which might differ from person to person.
- Write a social science hypothesis that specifies the relationship between two or more variables.
“Poor people in society do not have opportunities.”
“Opportunities” is the independent variable in the above hypothesis because it is not affected in any way by either the poor or the wealthy members of the society. “Poor people” is the dependent variable. Poor people depend on opportunities that come their way. However, their situation of being poor never gives them a chance to enjoy the available opportunities.
A controlled variable in the above hypothesis is the education level. A person’s level of education makes them land an opportunity in typical society. Contemporary society, however, favors the wealthy families. It can be seen as the level of education that denies poor opportunities because most of the poor people do not have the resources to finance a higher education level. The truth, however, is that the rich use their resources to grab all the opportunities. Educational level and opportunities have a spurious relationship.