Lesson 1 - Defining Social Sciences

Disciplines and Ideas
in the Social Sciences
Learning module 1
1ST QUARTER
1
LESSON 1
DEFINING SOCIAL SCIENCES AS THE STUDY OF SOCIETY
Introduction to Social Science

The social sciences are the fields of scholarship that study society. "Social science" is
commonly used as an umbrella term to refer to a plurality of fields outside of the natural sciences.
These include: anthropology, archaeology, business administration, communication, criminology,
economics, education, government, linguistics, international relations, political science, sociology and,
in some contexts, geography, history, law, and psychology.
In this lesson, you will be able to:
 Define social sciences as the study of society
 Distinguish social sciences and natural sciences from Humanities
 Describe the different types of research designs
 Apply the use of scientific method in social research
VIDEOS TO WATCH:
An Animated Introduction to Social Science

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSIdaTSG2Gg
What is Social Science? An Animated Overview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bilj35g_cau&spfreload=10
Social Problems and Social Science
 the connection between social science and social problems should be a high priority for all of
us -- social scientists and citizens alike. Example: Poverty and Social Science (Economics)
Meaning of Social Science, Natural Science, and Humanities
1. Social Science: The field of human knowledge that deals with all aspects of the group life of human
beings. So, it is subject to change with the changes the human behavior. Behavioral sciences
2. Natural Science: a branch of science that seeks to elucidate the rules that govern the natural world
by using the Empirical and Scientific method.
Subject areas:
Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth science, Astronomy
3. Humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are
primarily analytical, critical, or speculative. ancient and modern Languages,
Visual and Performing Arts such as music Theatre Arts. literature, history, philosophy, religion
History of Social Science
 The history of the social sciences begins in the roots of ancient philosophy.
 In Ancient history, there was no difference between mathematics and the study of history,
poetry or politics.
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 The term "social science" may refer either to the specific sciences of society established by
thinkers such as Comte, Durkheim, Marx, and Weber or more generally to all disciplines
outside of noble science and arts.
Society has TWO FACES: CONSENSUS and CONFLICT.
CONFLICT THEORY
 the role of COERCION and POWER in producing social order. This perspective is derived from
the works of Karl Marx, who saw society as fragmented into groups that compete for social and
economic resources.
 inequality exists because those in control of a disproportionate share of society's resources
actively defend their advantages.
CONSENSUS THEORY
 states that social change should occur in institutions that are provided by a political or
economic system
 states that the absence of conflict within society is the state of equilibrium (a state of rest or
balance due to the equal action of opposing forces, an equal balance between any powers,
influences, etc.; equality of effect.)
 social order in society should be maintained, based upon the accepted norms, values, roles or
regulations that are accepted by the society in gen
Major steps in Scientific Inquiry
Observation: All scientific knowledge relates to the natural environment and all knowledge begins with
facts gathered through careful observation.
 Formulation of the problem:
 Collection and classification of more facts:
 Generalization:
 Formulation of the hypothesis:
 Testing the hypothesis:
 Retesting and reformulating the theory:
Approaches in Social Sciences

 Define the problem
 Review the literature review
 Develop a theoretical framework and formulate a hypothesis
 Choose the research design
 Collect the necessary data
 Analyze the results
 Draw a conclusion.
 Define the Problem this one is probably the most important. If you have carefully defined your
terms, you can save an enormous amount of energy. Put simply, if you do not know what you
are doing, no matter how well you do it then everything is useless
 Literature Review knowledge of the relevant literature is essential because it provides
background, suggests approaches, indicate what has already been covered and what hasn’t,
and saves you from redoing what has already been done. It is a way of using other people’s
observation.
 Develop a Theoretical Framework make a statement predicting your results and them clarify
what each of the terms in the statement means within the framework of your research.
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 Choose a research design pick a means of gathering data, a survey, an experiment, an
observational study, secondary materials or a combination. Weigh this choice carefully
because your plan is the crux of your research process.
 Collecting the necessary data Data are what one collects from careful observation. Your
conclusion will be only as good as your data, so take great care in collecting and especially in
recording your data. If you don’t document what you have done, you might as well not have
done it.
 Drawing conclusions Now you can prepare a report, summarizing the steps you have
followed and discussed what you have found. Good findings will relate your conclusions to the
existing body of research, suggest where current assumptions may be modified because of
nee evidence and possibly identify unanswered questions for further study
 Analyzing the results when all data are in classify facts, identify trends, recognize
relationships and tabulate the information so that it can be accurately analyzed and
interpreted.
What have you learned so far?
1. What is social science and how it can be used to study and understand society?
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2. How is the scientific method used in conducting research?

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Activity 1: Graphic Organizer Completion.

Identify the Chronological sequence of the research process
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Stage 7
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Activity 2: Examine the photo.
Based on the picture below, identify one major social issue or problem that greatly affects the
Philippine Society. Explain and give the importance of how the social sciences can be used to
address this issue or social problem.
Social Issue/Problem Importance of using the social sciences

perspective in addressing the social issue
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Lesson 1 - Defining Social Sciences

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Disciplines and Ideas

in the Social Sciences

Introduction to Social Science

An Animated Introduction to Social Science

What is Social Science? An Animated Overview

Social Problems and Social Science

History of Social Science

Approaches in Social Sciences

What have you learned so far?

2. How is the scientific method used in conducting research?

Activity 1: Graphic Organizer Completion.

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 5 Stage 6 Stage 7

Social Issue/Problem Importance of using the social sciences

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