The importance of social science

An introduction to research methods (Segment 1: Errors of human inquiry).

The video explains how common beliefs about social conditions may be wrong, and how social science can provide more correct information.

 

1: Why are many common beliefs about social conditions wrong?

2: Why can social science provide information about society that is more reliable than common human beliefs?

The importance of learning about research methods

Burke Johnson discusses mixed methods (Segment 1: Why is learning about research methods important? Why is it interesting?).

The video explains why it is important to learn about social research methods.

1: Why is learning about methods important for critical thinking?

2: Why is it in the students’ interest to understand social research methods?

Mixed methods research: criticism and defence

The video explains how mixed methods research has been criticized, and provides arguments against the criticism.

Burke Johnson discusses mixed methods (Segment 5: What are the common criticisms of mixed methods? How would you respond to those criticisms?).

1: Why has mixed methods research been criticized for being positivistic?

2: Why is pragmatism described as one of the major paradigms of mixed methods research?

The relationship between theory and methods, and the importance of theoretical frameworks

Norma T. Mertz discusses theoretical frameworks (Segment 4: What is the relationship between theory and methods?).

The video explains the relationship between theory and method and shows why it is important that the theoretical frameworks of studies are described explicitly.

1: Why are theories described as ways of thinking?

2: Why is it important to be explicit about theoretical frameworks when discussing research?