1.
SCIENCE AND METHOD IN THE PHYSICAL WORLD
1.1.
The
physical sciences deal with the natural environment in which man is in and consist
of. The physical sciences assume that universe is orderly and ruled by cause
and effect. A set of circumstances
produce the same results. If “identical” situations have different results,
they are considered not really alike and the differences are presumed to
explain the difference in results.
1.2.
The
key steps of inquiry in the physical sciences are: a) observation; b)
formulation of a problem; c) collection and classification of more facts; d)
generalization; e) formulation of a tentative theory or hypothesis; and f)
testing and verification through scientific experiments employing controls.
Through controls, variables are introduced and excluded and effects associated
with variables are interpreted as cause and effect relationships. Nevertheless,
there are limits as not all can be controlled (e.g., astronomy, geology, etc.).
2.
WHY DIFFICULT TO USE SCIENCE IN SOCIAL SCIENCES?
2.1.
Difficulty in using science in the social world arise from: (a) things of great
importance are basically not measurable (satisfaction, welfare, happiness,
democracy, progress, etc.); (b) society is extremely complex and it is
difficult and usually impossible to find and evaluate all the many causes of a
given situation; and because (c) in every social situation, there is a human
element and humans unlike the physical typically behave unpredictably. Further,
if social scientists do succeed in finding uniformities of social behavior and
in setting up hypotheses, he seldom can employ controlled experiments to test
hypotheses.
2.2. Sometimes substitutes for control can be used: comparison groups and statistical controls. Statistical packages as well as the use of random sample can provide statistical controls. Where controls and the two are not possible to use, the social scientists would have to be contented with generalizations and hope that future studies would confirm or refute his findings.
Prof. Art
Boquiren Jan 04 based on modified Hunt 1967: 21, 25-29