CMY3709
Theme 1 Summarised &
25 Multiple Questions
Included
Chantell Meyer
67550789
, Lesson 1.1 Reflection on science and research: the
approach in this module
Scientific research is a human activity. Research is not an isolated or independent
entity or thing, however. It is closely interwoven with the concept of science.
There are various approaches to reflecting on science and scientific research.
For example, science and research can be approached from a scientific-
philosophical, research-methodological or research-technological perspective.
• Activity 1.1
Identify the two main concepts we reflect in this lesson by circling them.
• Feedback
The two core concepts are, of course, science and research. In the rest of this study
guide and in our other undergraduate methodology study material we often refer to
these two concepts.
• Activity 1.2
Identify the three perspectives from which we approach science and research.
Form an idea of how we will be looking at the two key concepts science and research.
• Feedback:
A. Philosophy of science
The philosophy of science is concerned with the assumptions, foundations, methods
and implications of science.
B. Research methodology
This entails two issues, namely decisions in the research process and the manner or
style of doing research. The term “methodology” is often used with reference to the
study of scientific methods but we in this module, “research methodology” refers to
research decisions and manner or style.
C. Research technology
Research technology includes the methods and techniques that scientists use during
the research process to gather and analyse information.
Philosophy (from the Greek philosophia, meaning “the love of wisdom”) plays an
important role in our thinking about the many aspects of human existence. It guides
,us in our chosen professions (Siegel, Phillips & Callan, 2018:1). Thus, philosophy is
the school of thought we follow when we interpret and perceive what is around us.
Activity 1.3
Formulate your own idea of what philosophy is about and the role it plays in human
existence.
Feedback
What is philosophy about?
Philosophy as a topic has undergone academic relegation and continues to re-
establish itself as a meaningful and guiding code in contemporary societies. It plays
an important role in enlightening our thinking about the many aspects of human
existence. It guides us in our chosen professions.
• Activity 1.4
Discuss the meaning and origin of the word “philosophy” in your own words.
• Feedback
Philosophy (from the Greek philosophia, meaning “the love of wisdom”) is the study
of how knowledge, authenticity and our life as human beings lead to questions about
who we are, what we know and how we experience the world around us.
Summary
In this lesson, we reflected on the concepts “science” and “research”, as well as on
the meaning of the word “philosophy”. In the lessons that follow (lessons 1.1 to 1.4)
we explain each of the four key ideas in the schematic presentation (figure 2).
, Lesson (1.2): Philosophy of science
Key concepts
Practice of science. a particular way in which we explore everyday reality (our
lifeworld, or physical and psychological environment), adapt to it and learn to deal
with it. Research is one of the instruments that scientists use to obtain knowledge.
Objectivity. The quality that allows a person to observe, describe and explain or
understand phenomena without personal interests, prejudices and emotional
interests; views on whether objectivity is possible; the specific meaning that is
attached to it depends on the scientist’s scientific point of departure in terms of the
philosophy of science.To be objective, scientists avoid making value judgements
and follow research procedures and specific techniques.
Value-free. Neutral; not influenced by personal convictions/persuasions and
sentiments.
Paradigm. A way of thinking or a set of assumptions that are accepted by
practitioners of a discipline.
Deterministic system. A doctrine or belief that there is no such thing as free will
and that human behaviour is determined by forces outside human control, such as
genetics or environmental factors.
Cause–effect pattern. It is assumed that human behaviour (therefore also criminal
behaviour) is governed by the principles of cause and effect (causality) in the same
way that natural scientists can explain and predict natural phenomena according to
fixed laws. In the human sciences, however, we deal not with fixed laws but with
probabilities. If there is a high probability that a cause leads to an effect, we speak
about a regularity or moderation of a pattern or a law.
Empirical observations. Observations based on sensory perceptions or
experience (facts).
Empiricism. The view that all scientific facts should be verifiable (for validity) and
that knowledge can only be acquired or obtained through sensory observation.
Theme 1 Summarised &
25 Multiple Questions
Included
Chantell Meyer
67550789
, Lesson 1.1 Reflection on science and research: the
approach in this module
Scientific research is a human activity. Research is not an isolated or independent
entity or thing, however. It is closely interwoven with the concept of science.
There are various approaches to reflecting on science and scientific research.
For example, science and research can be approached from a scientific-
philosophical, research-methodological or research-technological perspective.
• Activity 1.1
Identify the two main concepts we reflect in this lesson by circling them.
• Feedback
The two core concepts are, of course, science and research. In the rest of this study
guide and in our other undergraduate methodology study material we often refer to
these two concepts.
• Activity 1.2
Identify the three perspectives from which we approach science and research.
Form an idea of how we will be looking at the two key concepts science and research.
• Feedback:
A. Philosophy of science
The philosophy of science is concerned with the assumptions, foundations, methods
and implications of science.
B. Research methodology
This entails two issues, namely decisions in the research process and the manner or
style of doing research. The term “methodology” is often used with reference to the
study of scientific methods but we in this module, “research methodology” refers to
research decisions and manner or style.
C. Research technology
Research technology includes the methods and techniques that scientists use during
the research process to gather and analyse information.
Philosophy (from the Greek philosophia, meaning “the love of wisdom”) plays an
important role in our thinking about the many aspects of human existence. It guides
,us in our chosen professions (Siegel, Phillips & Callan, 2018:1). Thus, philosophy is
the school of thought we follow when we interpret and perceive what is around us.
Activity 1.3
Formulate your own idea of what philosophy is about and the role it plays in human
existence.
Feedback
What is philosophy about?
Philosophy as a topic has undergone academic relegation and continues to re-
establish itself as a meaningful and guiding code in contemporary societies. It plays
an important role in enlightening our thinking about the many aspects of human
existence. It guides us in our chosen professions.
• Activity 1.4
Discuss the meaning and origin of the word “philosophy” in your own words.
• Feedback
Philosophy (from the Greek philosophia, meaning “the love of wisdom”) is the study
of how knowledge, authenticity and our life as human beings lead to questions about
who we are, what we know and how we experience the world around us.
Summary
In this lesson, we reflected on the concepts “science” and “research”, as well as on
the meaning of the word “philosophy”. In the lessons that follow (lessons 1.1 to 1.4)
we explain each of the four key ideas in the schematic presentation (figure 2).
, Lesson (1.2): Philosophy of science
Key concepts
Practice of science. a particular way in which we explore everyday reality (our
lifeworld, or physical and psychological environment), adapt to it and learn to deal
with it. Research is one of the instruments that scientists use to obtain knowledge.
Objectivity. The quality that allows a person to observe, describe and explain or
understand phenomena without personal interests, prejudices and emotional
interests; views on whether objectivity is possible; the specific meaning that is
attached to it depends on the scientist’s scientific point of departure in terms of the
philosophy of science.To be objective, scientists avoid making value judgements
and follow research procedures and specific techniques.
Value-free. Neutral; not influenced by personal convictions/persuasions and
sentiments.
Paradigm. A way of thinking or a set of assumptions that are accepted by
practitioners of a discipline.
Deterministic system. A doctrine or belief that there is no such thing as free will
and that human behaviour is determined by forces outside human control, such as
genetics or environmental factors.
Cause–effect pattern. It is assumed that human behaviour (therefore also criminal
behaviour) is governed by the principles of cause and effect (causality) in the same
way that natural scientists can explain and predict natural phenomena according to
fixed laws. In the human sciences, however, we deal not with fixed laws but with
probabilities. If there is a high probability that a cause leads to an effect, we speak
about a regularity or moderation of a pattern or a law.
Empirical observations. Observations based on sensory perceptions or
experience (facts).
Empiricism. The view that all scientific facts should be verifiable (for validity) and
that knowledge can only be acquired or obtained through sensory observation.
