Module 12: Science and the Study of Politics revisited

“Dear Grandma” Letter

1. Write a 300-500 word letter to a family member or close friend explaining to them why it is important to critically evaluate the social science claims they encounter in daily life, and providing them with three easy tips to do so. If you use any terminology from the course, be sure that all terminology is used correctly. Proofread carefully.
2. Post your letter in your Learning Activity Discussion Board.
3. Provide a constructive response to at least one of your fellow group members’ posts. A constructive response is one that (a) uses supportive language to (b) identify for the author an area in which the work can be strengthened. For example, it may identify an issue where the wording is unclear or a point where terminology is used incorrectly, or suggest ideas for examples or ways to strengthen the argument, or let the author know of questions that the work raised for them. A constructive response goes beyond ‘I agree’ or ‘that is interesting’ to assist the author in improving the work. It should provide feedback that is intended to assist the author of the learning activity in improving their work.

Reminder: At the end of Module 12, you are required to select one learning activity for submission from Modules 9-12. You can use the feedback that you receive in the group forum to revise your selected learning activity prior to submission.

audit trail a record of decisions made when gathering and analyzing data.

authenticity the extent to which the analysis of a phenomenon corresponds with reality.

axial coding the second stage of qualitative data analysis, during which specific

confirmability the extent to which a study’s results may be verified by an independent researcher.

credibility the extent to which the results of an analysis “fit” with the reality being depicted.

dependability the extent to which a researcher has produced accurate results, based on precise methods.

impartiality the extent to which a study offers findings based on observation and evidence, as opposed to opinion or conjecture.

investigator triangulation the use of multiple researchers in a single research study as a means of ensuring the trustworthiness of the examination.

member checks the process of verifying study results in consultation with its subjects.

mixed methods research research that uses a variety of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in the confines of a single study.

objectivity the extent to which a study’s results are unbiased by the researcher’s predispositions.

pilot study a preliminary investigation intended to test and refine the methodology employed in the main study.

portability the extent to which a study’s results may be used to draw conclusions about other cases not immediately under investigation.

precision the extent to which a study offers an accurate account of reality, based on the ability of other researchers to reach similar conclusions under similar circumstances.

replicability the extent to which a study is repeatable or duplicable.

transferability the extent to which researchers can export the lessons drawn from one investigation to develop conclusions about another set of cases.

triangulation the use of multiple approaches to data collection and analysis as a means of drawing trustworthy conclusions about reality.

trustworthiness the extent to which a study produces legitimate knowledge.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, glossary source is Berdahl, Loleen and Keith Archer. 2015. Explorations: Conducting Empirical Research in Canadian Political Science (Third Edition). Oxford University Press.