Question 1

What is a theory?

Accepted Answer

A theory is a body of statements that systematize knowledge of, and explain, phenomenAnswer: Stated differently, theories help "organize, systematize, and coordinate existing knowledge" in a unified explanatory framework. Two crucial aspects of empirical theory are (1) that it leads to specific, testable predictions and (2) that the more observations there are to support these predictions, the more the theory is confirmed.

Question 2

How would you apply the concept of Ockham's Razor to work in political science? In your answer please provide an example.

Accepted Answer

The answer should include an explanation of how scientists recognize that theories should be parsimonious. It should include an example of a complex theory and a simple theory with the acknowledgment that the simple theory is the better explanation.

Question 3

Modern political science relies heavily on one kind of knowledge, knowledge obtained through _________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Normative thought 
B)  Objective observation 
C)  Critical theory 
D)  Constructivism 
A)  Normative thought 
B)  Objective observation 
C)  Critical theory 
D)  Constructivism B

Question 4

___________ refers to the process of drawing an inference from a set of premises and observations.

Accepted Answer

A)  Deductive reasoning or deduction 
B)  Inductive reasoning or induction 
C)  Reductive reasoning or reduction 
D)  Productive reasoning or production 
A)  Deductive reasoning or deduction 
B)  Inductive reasoning or induction 
C)  Reductive reasoning or reduction 
D)  Productive reasoning or production

Question 5

_______ is an approach to knowledge that asserts humans actually construct-through their social interactions and cultural and historical practices-many of the facts they take for granted as having an independent, objective, or material reality.

Accepted Answer

A)  Empiricism 
B)  The scientific method 
C)  Critical theory 
D)  Constructionism 
A)  Empiricism 
B)  The scientific method 
C)  Critical theory 
D)  Constructionism

Question 6

A _______ is a body of statements that systematize knowledge of, and explain, phenomena.

Accepted Answer

A)  Research statement 
B)  Hypothesis 
C)  Null hypothesis 
D)  Theory 
A)  Research statement 
B)  Hypothesis 
C)  Null hypothesis 
D)  Theory

Question 7

Practitioners of _____________ believe that a proper goal of social science is to critique and improve society (by making it more just and humane) rather than merely understand or explain what is going on.

Accepted Answer

A)  Empiricism 
B)  The scientific method 
C)  Critical theory 
D)  Deduction 
A)  Empiricism 
B)  The scientific method 
C)  Critical theory 
D)  Deduction

Question 8

___________ dictates that when given a choice between two compelling explanations, the explanation that relies on fewer explanatory factors is the better choice.

Accepted Answer

A)  Falsifiability 
B)  Parsimony 
C)  Induction 
D)  Verification 
A)  Falsifiability 
B)  Parsimony 
C)  Induction 
D)  Verification

Question 9

One of the following is a crucial aspect of empirical theory:

Accepted Answer

A)  It meets the tenets of critical theory 
B)  It deemphasizes parsimony 
C)  It is not cumulative 
D)  It leads to specific testable predictions 
A)  It meets the tenets of critical theory 
B)  It deemphasizes parsimony 
C)  It is not cumulative 
D)  It leads to specific testable predictions

Question 10

Scientific knowledge is ___________ in that both the substantive findings and research techniques are built upon the results of prior studies.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Scientific knowledge is ___________ in that both...

Question 11

When statements or hypotheses can in principle be rejected in the face of contravening empirical evidence we can say that they are ______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When statements or hypotheses can in principle...

Question 12

Knowledge that is evaluative, value laden, and concerned with prescribing what ought to be is known as ___________ knowledge.

Accepted Answer

A)  Normative 
B)  Nonnormative 
C)  Probabilistic 
D)  Nonprobabilistic 
A)  Normative 
B)  Nonnormative 
C)  Probabilistic 
D)  Nonprobabilistic

Question 13

Explanation is an important component of scientific knowledge. How does explanation lead to prediction?

Accepted Answer

An explanation gives scientific reasons

Question 14

Please summarize the debate over whether political science is really a science. In your answer please give arguments from both sides of the debate and indicate which side of the argument is correct.

Accepted Answer

Students should explain that those who t

Question 15

Proponents of alternatives to the scientific methods may be labeled as ________

Accepted Answer

A)  Nonempiricists 
B)  Empiricists 
C)  Deductionists 
D)  Inductionists 
A)  Nonempiricists 
B)  Empiricists 
C)  Deductionists 
D)  Inductionists

Question 16

A valid __________ argument is one in which, if the premises are true, the conclusion must necessarily be true as well.

Accepted Answer

A)  Deductive 
B)  Inductive 
C)  Productive 
D)  Reductive 
A)  Deductive 
B)  Inductive 
C)  Productive 
D)  Reductive

Question 17

Knowledge that is concerned not with evaluation or prescription but with factual or objective determinations is known as ________________.

Accepted Answer

Nonnormati

Question 18

_____________ is important because it can be predictive by offering systematic, reasoned anticipation of future events.

Accepted Answer

Explanator

Question 19

Please explain the difference between normative and nonnormative knowledge.

Accepted Answer

Knowledge that is evaluative, value lade

Question 20

In this essay, please identify and discuss the central components of scientific knowledge in political science. In your answer please explain how each component contributes to the validity of the work.

Accepted Answer

Students should correctly identify and d

What is a theory?

How would you apply the concept of Ockham's Razor to work in political science? In your answer please provide an example.

Modern political science relies heavily on one kind of knowledge, knowledge obtained through _________.

___________ refers to the process of drawing an inference from a set of premises and observations.

_______ is an approach to knowledge that asserts humans actually construct-through their social interactions and cultural and historical practices-many of the facts they take for granted as having an independent, objective, or material reality.

A _______ is a body of statements that systematize knowledge of, and explain, phenomena.

Practitioners of _____________ believe that a proper goal of social science is to critique and improve society (by making it more just and humane) rather than merely understand or explain what is going on.

___________ dictates that when given a choice between two compelling explanations, the explanation that relies on fewer explanatory factors is the better choice.

One of the following is a crucial aspect of empirical theory:

Scientific knowledge is ___________ in that both the substantive findings and research techniques are built upon the results of prior studies.

When statements or hypotheses can in principle be rejected in the face of contravening empirical evidence we can say that they are ______________.

Knowledge that is evaluative, value laden, and concerned with prescribing what ought to be is known as ___________ knowledge.

Explanation is an important component of scientific knowledge. How does explanation lead to prediction?

Please summarize the debate over whether political science is really a science. In your answer please give arguments from both sides of the debate and indicate which side of the argument is correct.

Proponents of alternatives to the scientific methods may be labeled as ________

A valid __________ argument is one in which, if the premises are true, the conclusion must necessarily be true as well.

Knowledge that is concerned not with evaluation or prescription but with factual or objective determinations is known as ________________.

_____________ is important because it can be predictive by offering systematic, reasoned anticipation of future events.

Please explain the difference between normative and nonnormative knowledge.

In this essay, please identify and discuss the central components of scientific knowledge in political science. In your answer please explain how each component contributes to the validity of the work.

Beginning the Research Process: Identifying a Research Topic, Developing Research Questions, and Reviewing the Literature

The Building Blocks of Social Scientific Research: Hypotheses, Concepts, and Variables

The Building Blocks of Social Scientific Research: Measurement

Research Design: Making Causal Inferences

Sampling

Making Empirical Observations: Firsthand Observation

Document Analysis: Using the Written Record

Survey Research and Interviewing

Making Sense of Data: First Steps

Statistical Inference

Investigating Relationships Between Two Variables

Multivariate Analysis

Filters

Exam 2: The Empirical Approach to Political Science

What is a theory?

How would you apply the concept of Ockham's Razor to work in political science? In your answer please provide an example.

Modern political science relies heavily on one kind of knowledge, knowledge obtained through _________.

___________ refers to the process of drawing an inference from a set of premises and observations.

_______ is an approach to knowledge that asserts humans actually construct-through their social interactions and cultural and historical practices-many of the facts they take for granted as having an independent, objective, or material reality.

A _______ is a body of statements that systematize knowledge of, and explain, phenomena.

Practitioners of _____________ believe that a proper goal of social science is to critique and improve society (by making it more just and humane) rather than merely understand or explain what is going on.

___________ dictates that when given a choice between two compelling explanations, the explanation that relies on fewer explanatory factors is the better choice.

One of the following is a crucial aspect of empirical theory:

Scientific knowledge is ___________ in that both the substantive findings and research techniques are built upon the results of prior studies.

When statements or hypotheses can in principle be rejected in the face of contravening empirical evidence we can say that they are ______________.

Knowledge that is evaluative, value laden, and concerned with prescribing what ought to be is known as ___________ knowledge.

Explanation is an important component of scientific knowledge. How does explanation lead to prediction?

Please summarize the debate over whether political science is really a science. In your answer please give arguments from both sides of the debate and indicate which side of the argument is correct.

Proponents of alternatives to the scientific methods may be labeled as ________

A valid __________ argument is one in which, if the premises are true, the conclusion must necessarily be true as well.

Knowledge that is concerned not with evaluation or prescription but with factual or objective determinations is known as ________________.

_____________ is important because it can be predictive by offering systematic, reasoned anticipation of future events.

Please explain the difference between normative and nonnormative knowledge.

In this essay, please identify and discuss the central components of scientific knowledge in political science. In your answer please explain how each component contributes to the validity of the work.

Beginning the Research Process: Identifying a Research Topic, Developing Research Questions, and Reviewing the Literature

The Building Blocks of Social Scientific Research: Hypotheses, Concepts, and Variables

The Building Blocks of Social Scientific Research: Measurement

Research Design: Making Causal Inferences

Sampling

Making Empirical Observations: Firsthand Observation

Document Analysis: Using the Written Record

Survey Research and Interviewing

Making Sense of Data: First Steps

Statistical Inference

Investigating Relationships Between Two Variables

Multivariate Analysis

Filters