Social Science: Inquiry, Research & Analysis

Content Knowledge
Comprehend
• The scientific method of inquiry and investigation through:
o Understanding how hypotheses are formulated to examine social behavior
o Understanding that hypotheses are contingent – that they can be disproved by additional evidence
o Understanding that well-tested hypotheses may be integrated into a theory predicting social behaviors
o Knowing how to apply a theory to new evidence
o Understanding how to write and test a hypotheses using additional evidence
o Knowing the ethics associated with data collection and human subjects
o Understanding the limits of scientific investigation
• How to interpret and read data:
o Presented and tables and graphs
o By knowing the basics of probability theory and the concept of a sample
o By knowing the difference between statistical and substantive significance
Apply be being able to:
• Find, analyze, and use information from a variety of sources by:
o Locating information from appropriate sources
o Drawing inferences then determining main and supporting ideas
o Evaluating information by:
 Discerning the quality of the materials
 Qualifying the strengths of the evidence and arguments
 Determining source creditability
 Identifying any bias and/or perspective of the author(s)
 Using prior knowledge
o Demonstrating familiarity with a data analysis software program
• Identify and analyze social science problems by:
o Identifying and defining a problem
o Using deductive and inductive problem-solving skills as appropriate to the problem being studied
o Using multiple perspectives and resources to analyze a problem
Standards for Success (S4S)
Social Science: Inquiry, Research & Analysis
Successful students:
A. Understand the scientific method of inquiry and investigation
B. Are able to read and interpret data
C. Know how to find a variety of sources of information, and how to analyze,
evaluate and use them properly
D. Are able to identify and analyze problems appropriate to the social science
discipline being studied