Use of Experiments in Natural Sciences and in Sociology
Experiments are particularly important in natural sciences as they are
the device used to either prove or disprove a hypothesis. Sciences
such as chemistry or physiology operate in what is known as closed
systems, where all the variables can be controlled. This means
therefore that such experiments can be carried out, and effectively.
Whereas it may be difficult in physical sciences to control the
variables, and in sociology to recreate everyday life, natural
sciences do not face the same overriding problems. What they are
investigating is predictable and all that makes up the experiment can
be controlled and changed in order to assess how true their hypothesis
is. They do not have to worry about the results not being reliable as
the situations do not change, nor do the subjects under study; they
are going to react to different situations in the same way every time.
Therefore they are particularly useful and well respected as they give
true, unquestionable results that ultimately prove or disprove a
hypothesis, with no room for any substantial opposing argument.
By using experiments it enables scientists to test precise
predictions. Laboratories are environments that the scientist can
control and indeed manipulate the various independent variables
however they wish. They can calculate the effects of a single
independent variable while removing the possibility that any other
factors are affecting the dependent variable they are studying.
b) Assess the reason why experiments are rarely used in sociology. (12
marks)
Even though experiments appear to be extremely useful in proving
something to be true, or to simply find a lot more about a certain
subject, in sociology they are not as useful and reliable. They
frequently incur many ethical or practical problems and are therefore
not used as often as the results they show are very questionable.
A first reason why they are rarely used in sociology is due to the
known and accepted fact that it is extremely difficult to recreate
normal life in the artificial setting of an experiment.
Experimental research is the one type of research that allows psychologists to make causal statements. It is where the researcher changes one or more variables that may have an effect on some other variables (King, 2016). The hypothesis is a specific expectation about what is going to happen in the experiment (King, 2016). In the research, the hypothesis was that women would perceive fat talk to be more socially acceptable than men (Katrevich et al., 2014). The other elements of experimental method are dependent and independent variables. The independent variable (IV) is the cause of the results, and it is changed by the experimenter to find the effects, but the dependent vari...
At the turn of the new century, activists begun to protest the morality of animal experimentation: “… such methodology is far too cruel on beast, it cannot better mankind, but its lead to it demise…” Despite the rising concern for animal safety in laboratory research, federal legislations approved the practice. According to the federal bureaucrats, it is an essential tool to improve our current medical knowledge. Hence, most of the tested animals have a relatively shorter life span than human. Thus, it allows to test long-term disease in a smaller timeframe. Nonetheless, animal enthusiast request the banishment of animal experimentation in laboratory. Ergo, with our current technology, researchers are capable to reproduce the same result
According to Jimenez-Buedo (2011), it is difficult to make a valid reference that there is a causal relationship when conducting an experiment in a laboratory-style setting. Jimenez-Buedo (2011) also states that both internal and external validity are being inferred without adequate evidence to support the claims being made in many cases. Jimenez-Buedo (2011) also states that generalization of results in the case of external validity should not be taken lightly. In other words, it appears that she feels that neither internal nor external validity should be inferred in many cases associated with experiments that are done in a laboratory setting versus the real world. This appears to mean that in all circumstances Jimenez-Buedo (2011) favors conducting experiments that are as representative as possible of the real world in order to be able to validate the results and in order to infer a causal or generalizable relationship.
Unlike a random experiment, a natural experiment is mostly observing what has occurred. What's more, a natural experiment gives researchers limited control over a study. Like a random experiment, variables are separated and compared to determine the effect of an independent variable on a dependent variable. At any rate, Dr. Dee selected to go with a natural experiment on the grounds that a random experiment was not a viable option. In particular, Dr. Dee's natural experiment focused on the results of a 1988 National Education Longitudinal Survey of 8th grade teachers. Specifically Dr. Dee examined the effect that a teacher's gender had on student test scores. Dr. Dee takes this a step further by considering the size of a classroom, the race of a teacher, years of experience a teacher has, and whether a teacher was certified in their subject of teaching. It is important to remember that Dr.Dee uses the results of one year and does not take into consideration following years. Beyond this, Dr. Dee also examines student perception about the four core subjects. In short, Thomas Dee examined and manipulated what had occurred to come to his
In order to have a successful, reliable experiment you need sufficient data and evidence, reliable research, variables to test and a follow – up experiment. There are several types of variables you need to do an experiment. An independent variable is the manipulated experimental factor that is changed to see what the effects are. A dependent variable is the outcome. This factor can change in an experiment in reaction to the changes in the independent variable. An experimental group is the group of participants that are exposed to the change that the independent variable represents. The control group is participants who are treated in the same way as the experimental group except for the manipulated factor which is the independent variable (King 24). Proper data, evidence and research is also needed so the experiment turns out correctly and you know what you are testing. A follow – up experiment is not required, however it helps the validity of the conclusion of the experiment. Validity is “the soundness of the conclusions that a researcher draws from an experiment” (King 25). Conducting a follow – up experiment will help researchers and people alike see if the experiment worked properly, continues to help people and see how participants are doing after the experiment is over.
8). Due to the complex nature of society, Sociologists needed a method named Sociological Imagination that would
Sociology is a science because methodological study is used to study the behavior of people in society in their environment. The same steps using the scientific method in a research process: observation, hypothesis testing, data analysis, and generalization is used when conducting sociological research.
For academic and activist Casey Walden, the interest in sociology developed as a kind of gradual awakening. Casey prefers pronouns she/her/hers or they/them/theirs, however, in this paper I will be utilizing only she/her/hers. Casey is a twenty-year-old student at Simmons College, pursuing the study of sociology amongst other concentrations. An interview session with her allowed me to delve into the intricacies of the interview process by analyzing how the conversation progressed, and to explore more about why she is majoring in sociology. In this paper, I will aim to discuss salient points that were mentioned throughout the interview, as well as reflect on the experience of conducting one. Throughout the fluid process of directing the interview, I was able to gage Casey's demographic background, motives, and aspirations regarding her major in sociology.
Observation allows researchers to experience a specific aspect of social life and get a firsthand look at a trend, institution or behaviour. It promotes good communication skills, improves decision making and enhances awareness.
A researcher uses an experiment to scientifically test out a hypothesis. In an experiment there are many different factors that are involved. There is the independent variable, which is the cause, it is the one that is being manipulated, and the dependent variable, which is the effect, is the response. When conducting a experiment it is important to make sure that the only thing than can affect the dependent variable is the independent variable. This is known as internal validity. Using random assignment to separate the participants into groups helps eliminate any outside factors, and creates an equal chance for all participants to be apart of the experimental conditions. There are many pros and cons to this type of method. The experimental method creates a strong control of the variables involved in the experiment, which allows an easier determination on cause and effect. If needed, it is fairly easy to replicate an experiment and is less time consuming than other research methods. However there are many downfalls as well. When conducting an experiment the setting of where the experiment is taking place is more artificial which may cause certain behaviors that wouldn’t occur in real life. This is known as external validity, which is the measure of how much the results of a study can be generalized and used in different situations, and people. To improve external validity cover stories are created when conducting experiments so the participants are not aware of what is really going on, or experiments are done in a natural setting as opposed to in a laboratory. However, this creates less control over confounding variables that can affect the experiment, which can create bias results (Aronson,
The first method to be discussed and analysed are experimental methods. There is a variety of experimental methods including; laboratory, field and natural experiments. These methods are the most scientific method due to them being highly objective and systematic. In addition, this method is regarded as the most powerful research method used in psychology because of the potential to investigate the causes of events and therefore, identifying the cause and effect relationship. When carrying out an experiment the researcher intervenes directly in the situation being investigated. The researcher manipulates an independent variable (IV) in order to investigate whether there is a change in the dependent variable (DV). Any other variables that could have an
My social experiment, took way too much thought to complete. I could not think about what I should do for this project until about noon on that beautiful Sunday. I invited a couple of friends to go with me to Walmart, but I was unsuccessful and I only got one friend to accompany me. Even so, we had fun.
In the natural sciences there are always ethical norms that limit how knowledge can be produced. In the natural sciences, experimentation is an important method of producing knowledge but ethical judgments can limit the use of this method. There are areas that are considered unethical ...
Beginning with the scientific revolution in the fifteen hundreds, the Western world has become accustomed to accepting knowledge that is backed by the scientific method, a method that has been standardized worldwide for the most accurate results. This method allows people to believe that the results achieved from an experiment conducted using the scientific method have been properly and rigorously tested and must therefore be the closest to truth. This method also allows for replication of any experiment with the same results, which further solidifies the credibility and standing of natural science in the world. Another aspect that allows for the reliability on the natural sciences is the current paradigm boxes, which skew the truth to remove anomalies. This affects the outcome of experiments as the hypotheses will be molded to create results that fit the paradigm box.
By the definition, science is the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment (Oxford dictionary). This crude definition is elaborated further by a world-famous sociologist Anthony Giddens as ‘the scientific study of human social life, groups, and societies. It is dazzling and compelling enterprise, as its subject matter is our own behavior as social beings. The scope of sociological study is extremely wide, ranging from the analysis of passing encounters between individuals on the street to the investigation of global social processes such as the rise of Islamic fundamentalism.’ (Giddens: 2006)