“Social Science … Consists of the Disciplined and Systematic Study of Society and Its Institutions, and of How and Why People Behave as They Do...” (Halloran, Unit 2. P.5) with Reference to at Least Two of the Research

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There are similarities between the Natural Sciences and Social Sciences in terms of research methods that involve verifiable knowledge that is, using systematic and disciplined method in their studies. But, social science, in addition to its scientific nature, is also influenced by social phenomena .( Halloran, Unit 2. p.5) However, the use or non use of scientific methods does not invalidate social science research, despite the difference in methodologies, and the existence of scholars along the scientific and sociological divide in the field. It will be noted that pro-scientists scholars posit that all social science research must be verifiable using scientific methodology while pro-sociology scholars opine that social phenomena cannot be studied using natural science method. Contradictions in social science is rather deep and historical predating the study of the field itself by literary critics, moralists artists and educators who failed to reach a consensus on methods of media and their influence, for example. Also, the name change, in the early 1980s of the Social Science Research Council, by the British Government, to the Economic & Social Research Council illustrated this contradiction in the field. (Gareau,1987) Areas of Disagreement Scientific proponents in social science study argue that researches without scientific approach are lacking in evidence and cannot be verifiable. Thus, they query evidences produced without the benefit of scientific approach. Secondly, scholars criticise their non-scientific colleagues for the undisciplined nature of generalisation, interpretations and speculation common in their works. (Halloran,Unit 2.) An illustration of scientific criticism hereby suffices. In Nigeria, the downturn of the economy has resulted in less public spending on infrastructure such as power, health, education and roads. Hence, multinational

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