Research in the Social Sciences
RSC2601
College of Human Sciences
Assignment 01
Unique number:
849502
Due Date: 28 August 2020
Your main source for answering these multiple choice questions will be the Study Guide. In
order to answer these questions you are expected to do a type of speed reading called scanning
as a means of familiarising yourself with the scope of the study material, the focus themes of
the module, and key terms and concepts in the different study units.
QUESTION 1
Read the following excerpt and identify the approach to the social sciences that best reflects what
the “new age of scholarship” possibly refers to.
In Texts of identity, Shotter and Gergen (1989:x) argue that there is a “new age of scholarship”,
one marked by a far greater charity towards disparate voices, sharpened by a sensitivity to the
processes by which knowledge claims are made and justified.
The approach to the social sciences that best reflects the “new age of scholarship”, is …
(1) positivism
(2) interpretivism
(3) critical social science
(4) postmodernism
(5) feminist research
Answer:
, Refer to page 37 of the study guide:
Postmodern research: an approach to research that claims there is no such thing as absolute “truth’’
and that no particular theory or method is better than another at determining the truth.
QUESTION 2
Norms for the scientific community contain the following:
(1) universalism and organised scepticism
(2) universalism and neutrality as to the possible popularity or unpopularity of research results
(3) communalism and honesty
(4) all the above.
Answer:
Refer to page 12-13 of the study guide:
1.4 Norms of the scientific community
Neuman (1997) writes of the norms of the scientific community. Norms are rules of conduct in
particular situations that are enforced by positive and negative sanctions. People are rewarded if
they act according to the norm (positive sanctions) and punished if they violate the norm (negative
sanctions). Just as behaviour in any human community is regulated by social norms, so the scientific
community is governed by those norms that researchers learn and internalise as an essential part of
their training. These norms differ from those in other social institutions, and it is these norms that
contribute to the unique role of the scientist. The settings of research and the ways in which science
is applied reinforces these norms. Neuman (1997:8) presents these norms as follows:
Universalism. Irrespective of who conducts the research and regardless of where it was
conducted, the research is to be judged only on the basis of scientific merit.
Organised scepticism. Scientists should not accept new ideas or evidence in a carefree, uncritical
manner. Instead, all evidence should be challenged and questioned. Each research study is
subjected to intense criticism and scrutiny. The purpose of the criticism is not to attack the
individual; rather, it is to ensure that the research can stand up to close examination.
Disinterestedness. Scientists must be neutral, impartial, receptive and open to unexpected
observations or new ideas. Scientists should not be rigidly wedded to a particular idea or point of
view. They should accept, even look for, evidence that runs against their positions and should
honestly accept all findings based on high-quality research.
Communalism. Scientific knowledge must be shared with others; it belongs to everyone. Creating
scientific knowledge is a public act and the findings are public property, available for all to use.
The way in which the research is conducted must be described in detail. New knowledge is not
formally accepted until other researchers have reviewed it and it has been made publicly
available in a special form and style.
Honesty. This is a general cultural norm, but it is especially strong in scientific research. Scientists
demand honesty in all research; dishonesty or cheating in scientific research is a major taboo.
QUESTION 3
RSC2601
College of Human Sciences
Assignment 01
Unique number:
849502
Due Date: 28 August 2020
Your main source for answering these multiple choice questions will be the Study Guide. In
order to answer these questions you are expected to do a type of speed reading called scanning
as a means of familiarising yourself with the scope of the study material, the focus themes of
the module, and key terms and concepts in the different study units.
QUESTION 1
Read the following excerpt and identify the approach to the social sciences that best reflects what
the “new age of scholarship” possibly refers to.
In Texts of identity, Shotter and Gergen (1989:x) argue that there is a “new age of scholarship”,
one marked by a far greater charity towards disparate voices, sharpened by a sensitivity to the
processes by which knowledge claims are made and justified.
The approach to the social sciences that best reflects the “new age of scholarship”, is …
(1) positivism
(2) interpretivism
(3) critical social science
(4) postmodernism
(5) feminist research
Answer:
, Refer to page 37 of the study guide:
Postmodern research: an approach to research that claims there is no such thing as absolute “truth’’
and that no particular theory or method is better than another at determining the truth.
QUESTION 2
Norms for the scientific community contain the following:
(1) universalism and organised scepticism
(2) universalism and neutrality as to the possible popularity or unpopularity of research results
(3) communalism and honesty
(4) all the above.
Answer:
Refer to page 12-13 of the study guide:
1.4 Norms of the scientific community
Neuman (1997) writes of the norms of the scientific community. Norms are rules of conduct in
particular situations that are enforced by positive and negative sanctions. People are rewarded if
they act according to the norm (positive sanctions) and punished if they violate the norm (negative
sanctions). Just as behaviour in any human community is regulated by social norms, so the scientific
community is governed by those norms that researchers learn and internalise as an essential part of
their training. These norms differ from those in other social institutions, and it is these norms that
contribute to the unique role of the scientist. The settings of research and the ways in which science
is applied reinforces these norms. Neuman (1997:8) presents these norms as follows:
Universalism. Irrespective of who conducts the research and regardless of where it was
conducted, the research is to be judged only on the basis of scientific merit.
Organised scepticism. Scientists should not accept new ideas or evidence in a carefree, uncritical
manner. Instead, all evidence should be challenged and questioned. Each research study is
subjected to intense criticism and scrutiny. The purpose of the criticism is not to attack the
individual; rather, it is to ensure that the research can stand up to close examination.
Disinterestedness. Scientists must be neutral, impartial, receptive and open to unexpected
observations or new ideas. Scientists should not be rigidly wedded to a particular idea or point of
view. They should accept, even look for, evidence that runs against their positions and should
honestly accept all findings based on high-quality research.
Communalism. Scientific knowledge must be shared with others; it belongs to everyone. Creating
scientific knowledge is a public act and the findings are public property, available for all to use.
The way in which the research is conducted must be described in detail. New knowledge is not
formally accepted until other researchers have reviewed it and it has been made publicly
available in a special form and style.
Honesty. This is a general cultural norm, but it is especially strong in scientific research. Scientists
demand honesty in all research; dishonesty or cheating in scientific research is a major taboo.
QUESTION 3
