Sociology and science

What does Popper suggest is involved in science?

• Setting and testing of hypotheses

• Collection of random data

• Use of statistical software

• Conducting surveys

Which stage of the scientific method involves checking the validity of results through repetition?

• Falsification

• Replication

• Prediction

• Scrutiny

What is the purpose of falsification in the scientific method?

• To prove a theory correct

• To disprove a hypothesis

• To gather more data

• To analyze statistical results

According to Popper's theory of falsification, what can never be finally proven true?

• A hypothesis

• A scientific law

• A theory

• A fact

What should researchers aim to do according to Popper's theory?

• Prove their hypothesis true

• Falsify their hypothesis by looking for exceptions

• Ignore exceptions to their hypothesis

• Confirm their hypothesis with evidence

Why is sociology considered not scientific according to Popper?

• It is too complex

• It cannot be falsified

• It is not based on experiments

• It is subjective

What does the scientific method require from sociologists?

• To be subjective

• To be objective

• To be biased

• To be prejudiced

What should sociologists keep out of the research process?

• Personal values and prejudices

• Scientific data

• Open-mindedness

• Objectivity

What do positivists believe should be the aim of sociology?

• The study of individual behavior

• The study of social facts that can be measured quantitatively

• The study of historical events

• The study of cultural traditions

According to Durkheim, what are social facts?

• Personal opinions that influence behavior

• Social phenomena that exist outside individuals but constrain their behavior

• Economic trends that affect society

• Political ideologies that shape governance