Social Scientific Explanations? |
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Authors: | Faber Jan Scheper Willem J |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Innovation Studies, The Netherlands;(2) Department of Computer Science, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80125, 2508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Generally valid scientific explanations of observable social phenomena are still hardly available. By applying philosophical insights generated by Quine and derived from semiotics to social research methodology three kinds of context dependencies accompanying theory formation within social science are identified. The third context dependency is mostly not attended in theory formation about social phenomena thereby producing a ``connotation fallacy', which leaves almost all social theories undetermined and fallible. These context dependencies should be taken into account in the research design and be tested for using statistical criteria comprising a new methodology presented in this article. |
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Keywords: | scientific explanation validity criteria context dependencies |
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