Teaching the Scientific Method in the Social Sciences

Many undergraduates can tell you what the scientific method means but just a little probing reveals a rather shallow understanding as well as a number of misconceptions about the method. The purpose of this paper is to indicate why such misconceptions occur and to point out some implications and sug...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe journal of effective teaching Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 18 - 28
Main Author Keyes, Grace
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Journal of Effective Teaching 2010
Subjects
Classroom Techniques
Definitions
Educational Practices
Educational Strategies
Misconceptions
Scientific Methodology
Social Sciences
Teaching Methods
Textbook Content
Undergraduate Students
Online AccessGet full text
ISSN1935-7869

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Summary:Many undergraduates can tell you what the scientific method means but just a little probing reveals a rather shallow understanding as well as a number of misconceptions about the method. The purpose of this paper is to indicate why such misconceptions occur and to point out some implications and suggestions for teaching the scientific method in the social sciences. This paper describes how students come to internalize key words and views about science without grasping some important concepts such as inference. I suggest that misunderstandings and misconceptions about science are the result of how it is transmitted to students. Misconceptions are easily perpetuated through the twin processes of diffusion and socialization. The social sciences can provide a corrective to this situation by first recognizing how textbooks and teaching approaches may contribute to the problem and, secondly, by developing innovative teaching strategies. This essay is based on observations made while teaching introductory anthropology and sociology courses to students of all majors.
ISSN:1935-7869