Importance of statistics in behavioral sciences
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As a tool of the positivist tradition, the statistical method is a way of identifying patterns and regularities in the observable world. Statistics involve the systematic collection of data with the aim of achieving knowledge by induction, that is, making inferences from observed regularities to general theories.
This systematic inductive use of statistics can be traced back to John Graunt, Sir William Petty, and Hermann Conring. In the 17th century they brought the use of descriptive statistics to science. Yet, the phrasing of social-science questions in variable terms did not happen until the 19th century.
Francis Galton introduced the correlation coefficient, the scatter plot, and also regression analysis, the prime tool of modern social-science statistics. Karl Pearson carried on Galton’s work, and later on Émile Durkheim placed statistics in the center, finding covariance between suicide and religion, in addition to other variables. Before Durkheim introduced the use of statistics into the social sciences, researchers relied on a more philosophical procedure, based on reasoning and facts of experience.
This can be illustrated by an event that took place in Norway in the 17th century. The background for this was the Kalmar War (1611–1613) which was fought between Sweden and Denmark. The root of the war was the Swedish wish to establish a trade route through northern Norway (Norway was then a part of the Danish kingdom).
This systematic inductive use of statistics can be traced back to John Graunt, Sir William Petty, and Hermann Conring. In the 17th century they brought the use of descriptive statistics to science. Yet, the phrasing of social-science questions in variable terms did not happen until the 19th century.
Francis Galton introduced the correlation coefficient, the scatter plot, and also regression analysis, the prime tool of modern social-science statistics. Karl Pearson carried on Galton’s work, and later on Émile Durkheim placed statistics in the center, finding covariance between suicide and religion, in addition to other variables. Before Durkheim introduced the use of statistics into the social sciences, researchers relied on a more philosophical procedure, based on reasoning and facts of experience.
This can be illustrated by an event that took place in Norway in the 17th century. The background for this was the Kalmar War (1611–1613) which was fought between Sweden and Denmark. The root of the war was the Swedish wish to establish a trade route through northern Norway (Norway was then a part of the Danish kingdom).
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