Personal reflections

Overview

The study of social science in today’s society plays an important role in the world. In order to better understand the role of social science, one must correctly explain the key concepts behind the method.

The purpose of this assignment is to present a detailed reflective paper based on personal experiences with social science. In addition, it will answer the following topic about social science research, science in general, personal conceptions of truth, knowledge, and other valid information pertaining to the subject.

Discussion

Knowledge. Daily survival within the world depends on knowledge and social science. There may be many ways to explain the word knowledge. However knowledge includes self-awareness and understanding of facts, truth or information acquired from birth and life long learning. Often people will quote, “knowledge is power”. Although true, if use correctly knowledge can heal the worlds diseases. While on the other hand if used incorrectly, it can be a ticking bomb waiting to explode. Another aspect for understanding knowledge is to understand that it exist in individual form. Meaning that individual knowledge is created through birth and continues to build until death. While this knowledge builds throughout life people will began to study a variety of things such of social sciences and humanities. This type of science is important in the sense that it provides knowledge on various issues relevant to humankind.

Science. The study of social science includes the different aspects within the world. For instance, the main social sciences that exist today include economics, political science, psychology, linguistics, sociology and communications. Understanding the various, kinds of sciences prove important in today’s world. Social science in some areas provides a background of knowledge of what makes the human respond. It may also answer questions such as what are the dislikes, likes and comfort zones in society. Most of the social sciences come from humanities and many include the scientific methods. In addition, there are strengths and weakness within social sciences.

Strengths and limitations of Social Science.
Strengths. The strengths of social science research rely in the ability to gain extended knowledge in many areas. For example, a doctor finding a cure for AIDS, the information used to discover a cure would rely on what is already known about the disease. By conducting extensive research within social science, problems that exist in the human society can be better understood. As there are strengths that exist within social science research, there are also limitations.

Limits. As it appears each generation advances in knowledge over the last one. One puzzling aspect about social science research is deficiencies. Often listening to the news channel an investigation would be thrown out if research fails. Research may fail for a number of reasons based on lack of evidence or flawed information. Careful research in science is one area in social science that will need to be resolved to prevent injustice in the courtrooms. Although knowledge may be hard to determine in some cases when it is misconstrued due to flaws.

Objectives of Social Science.
Objectives. Based on what is known about social science in the world. The perceived ideas about social science research places an emphasis on the scientific approach and its methods, evidence, and statistics. For instance, philosophers such as Plato used geometry to problem solve, while Isaac Newton used physic to constitute the scientific method. Evidence used in scientific methods supports the subject. Moreover, statistics in a scientific study can be used to determine knowledge over a period of years using numbers and equations. Another example of investigating the scientific methods with evidence and statistics would be used in identifying enrollment in a class over a period. A university will use the evidence supplied over years to determine if enrollment is rising or falling.

Philosophy of social science research.
Research. Within the social science research, some areas of importance that may exist are distinguishing social science from religion and physical. My perception of what is believed to be true about the philosophy of social science research relies on successful study of the human world system. My opinion stems from every day activities in which people involve themselves on a daily bases. For instance, the philosophy behind social science research may result in how different countries interact about democracy, religion, business or any other issue that would engage in the lifestyle of humans.

Religion. Within the social science research, some areas of importance that may exist are distinguishing social science from religion and physical. Based on personal beliefs and academic studies throughout school, pose a conflict. As a Christian, my belief results that man was made in the image of God. In addition, often when studying science it opposes all of my beliefs, and places an emphasis on evolution. Both religion and science serves as a conflict to one another and ultimately the choice is left up to the individual to decide on what may suit him or her. I further believe that within the classroom environment, religious students are forced to take a passive stand on the issue. Often when debated, religion looses and it is best to just answer what the textbooks states and believe personally in your heart. Overall, I believe that the relationship between science and religion are at two different spectrums.

Physical. The relationship between physical and social science are different with a common denominator. In general, physical science deals with chemistry and physics. Some of the branches of physical science that exist include thermodynamics and mechanical. Physical science differs from social science due to the natural elements. For instance, ice melting, iron rusting, etc share components of physical science, while social science deals with the various forms of society. Although some social and physical science may share a common bond due to the scientific approach involved.

Conclusion

The study of social science proves to be an effective measure for examining humans and the culture that exist around them. Without such information, much scientific evidence and study would be left in darkness. Social science research helps us come in the knowledge of the world that surrounds on a daily basis. The research that is used provides a sense of truth based on scientific methods. Furthermore, knowledge acts an important role in social science research by providing facts to discovered insight. By conducting successful research and applying additional knowledge power is born.