Classifying Science

Classifying Science
Author: Rick Szostak
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2007-11-03
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1402030959

Classification is the essential first step in science. The study of science, as well as the practice of science, will thus benefit from a detailed classification of different types of science. In this book, science - defined broadly to include the social sciences and humanities - is first unpacked into its constituent elements: the phenomena studied, the data used, the theories employed, the methods applied, and the practices of scientists. These five elements are then classified in turn. Notably, the classifications of both theory types and methods allow the key strengths and weaknesses of different theories and methods to be readily discerned and compared. Connections across classifications are explored: should certain theories or phenomena be investigated only with certain methods? What is the proper function and form of scientific paradigms? Are certain common errors and biases in scientific practice associated with particular phenomena, data, theories, or methods? The classifications point to several ways of improving both specialized and interdisciplinary research and teaching, and especially of enhancing communication across communities of scholars. The classifications also support a superior system of document classification that would allow searches by theory and method used as well as causal links investigated.

A History of Psychology

A History of Psychology
Author: William Douglas Woody
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 443
Release: 2023-07-19
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1000906531

This seventh edition of A History of Psychology: The Emergence of Science and Applications traces the history of psychology from antiquity through the early twenty-first century, giving students a thorough look into psychology’s origins and key developments in basic and applied psychology. It presents internal, disciplinary history as well as external contextual history, emphasizing the interactions between psychological ideas and the larger cultural and historical contexts in which psychologists and other thinkers conduct research, teach, and live. It also has a strong scholarly foundation and more than 400 new references. This new edition retains and expands the strengths of previous editions and introduces several important changes. The text features more women, people of color, and others who are historically marginalized as well as new sections about early Black psychology and barriers faced by people who are diverse. It also includes expanded discussions of eugenics and racism in early psychology. There is new content on the history of the biological basis of psychology; the emergence of qualitative methods; and ecopsychology, ecotherapy, and environmental psychology. Recent historical findings about social psychology, including new historical findings about the Stanford Prison Experiment, Milgram’s obedience research, and Sherif’s conformity studies, have also been incorporated. Continuing the tradition of past editions, the text focuses on engaging students and inspiring them to recognize the power of history in their own lives, to connect history to the present and the future, and to think critically and historically.

Discipline and Punish

Discipline and Punish
Author: Michel Foucault
Publisher: Vintage
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2012-04-18
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0307819299

A brilliant work from the most influential philosopher since Sartre. In this indispensable work, a brilliant thinker suggests that such vaunted reforms as the abolition of torture and the emergence of the modern penitentiary have merely shifted the focus of punishment from the prisoner's body to his soul.

Essentials of Psychological Testing

Essentials of Psychological Testing
Author: Susana Urbina
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 339
Release: 2011-01-13
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1118045653

An excellent primer on the key concepts of psychometrics Essentials of Psychological Testing surveys the basic principles of psychometrics, supplies the information needed to understand and evaluate tests, and introduces readers to the major contemporary reference works in the field. It is the only book to provide such a thorough and up-to-date overview of psychometrics in an engaging, accessible format. As part of the Essentials of Behavioral Science series, this book offers an overview of the most relevant psychometric concepts and techniques that provides the foundation necessary for knowledgeable, informed practice. Each concise chapter features numerous callout boxes highlighting key concepts, bulleted points, and extensive illustrative material, as well as "Test Yourself" questions that help to gauge and reinforce readers' grasp of the information covered. Starting with a basic introduction to psychological tests, their historical development, and their uses, Essentials of Psychological Testing also covers the statistical procedures most frequently used in testing, the frames of reference for score interpretation, reliability, validity, and test item considerations, as well as guidelines for test selection, administration, scoring, and reporting test results. Whether as an orientation for those new to the field, a refresher for those already acquainted with it, or as a reference for seasoned clinicians, Essentials of Psychological Testing is an invaluable resource on the fundamentals of this evolving area of practice.

Social Science Research

Social Science Research
Author: Anol Bhattacherjee
Publisher: CreateSpace
Total Pages: 156
Release: 2012-04-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781475146127

This book is designed to introduce doctoral and graduate students to the process of conducting scientific research in the social sciences, business, education, public health, and related disciplines. It is a one-stop, comprehensive, and compact source for foundational concepts in behavioral research, and can serve as a stand-alone text or as a supplement to research readings in any doctoral seminar or research methods class. This book is currently used as a research text at universities on six continents and will shortly be available in nine different languages.