The Scientific Method
Helen Keller wrote, “Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose” (1936, December 10). One of the most meaningful ways of pursuing a worthy purpose is to conduct research that expands our knowledge of a subject, solves a problem or dispels prejudice and, ideally, contributes to a change in policy that results in the betterment of society. In an article for The Guardian, Matthew Goodwin’s first of 10 tips for how academics can engage policy-makers states: “Only do it if you believe it is important. Seriously” (2013, March 25). He notes that John Gerring once said that social science should be pursued for the sake of the betterment of society, not for the sake of science alone. Gerring also said that while not every study will be intended for a policy outcome, each academic should give due consideration to what citizens and policymakers care about, or may care about. (cited in Goodwin, 2013, March 25). Continue reading “Social Science for the Greater Good”