Social Science

There are many reasons for the importance of social studies. For instance, it increased consciousness. Powerful teaching of social studies generates greater awareness in students of their civic duties. The learners are encouraged to uphold the democratic values so that they not only survive but also thrive. The students’ eagerness, readiness and willingness to assume increased responsibilities as a citizen of a nation are ignited by social. They become well-informed residents who will sustain and further the cause of democracy when they grow up and take up the reins of the land. They can contribute positively towards the global cohesiveness. Its cumulative effect is reflected in how well civilians participate in understanding the government policies.

The importance of social studies is that it helps make students environmentally conscious. Through the studying of geography, environmental science, the learner realizes how devastating tampering with nature can be. He becomes responsive towards the importance of maintaining ecological balance, thus impeding the eventual destruction of nature. The importance of social studies is that it helps students to understand how nations and cultures are interconnected and affect one another.

For predicting the outcome of future events based upon past examples – Correlating the past to foresee the future can be deftly accomplished by students of social. Interpretation of statistical data can come in handy while laying out future plans at local, national and international levels. Projections are made and chances of lurking dangers are eliminated. Political leaders know how necessary it is to look ahead, while keeping an eye on the past experiences. Read the rest of this entry »

When consumers, politicians, educators, practitioners, journalists and others in public settings are seeking answers to social problems within our community, they find them through studies including social work research. These studies benefit the public because they examine preventative methods for dealing with ongoing problems and issues in areas such as health care concerns, substance abuse, discrimination and the economy., It also studies the effectiveness of different types of organizations. An example of a study can be the risk factors associated with poverty and mental health. Another study could be about single parenting and school grades.

Three major organizations known for conducting various studies include ANSWER, SSWR, and IASWR. These three associations are very integrated with one another and network widely via conferences. Information is shared with many government agencies.

Communities, cities and nations rely upon these types of study results and surveys The acquired information can be channeled into figuring out school strategies, social service programs that are needed and ways to benefit those in difficult situations. Schools need to know how financial issues, abuse and parental homework support influences the way that children process information and relate to other students. Other setting that benefit from the research includes after care programs, hospitals and programs for at risk kids. Many innovative programs were born out of the deficiencies that were revealed in the studies. Read the rest of this entry »

Prophecy isn’t all balderdash. I make this prophecy that the Sun will rise tomorrow morning in New York City! I also make this prophecy that New York City will experience at least one thunderstorm between May and September 2011. Further, I’ll make another prophecy that there will be at least one murder in New York City in the month of June, 2011. But, if I make a prediction that aliens will invade New York City in 2011; some New Yorkers will experience the Biblical Rapture in 2011; or that planetary alignments suggest that 90% of couples living in Manhattan will divorce in 2011, well you’d call that balderdash. So, what’s the dividing line between making balderdash prophecy and making sensible predictions?

Scientifically Near Certain: Nothing is absolutely certain except death and taxes, thus the use of the word ‘near’. However, in this case, scientifically ‘near’ certain means 99.99999% certain. Examples of this sort of prophecy are the times of the rising and setting of the Sun, the Moon, the planets and stars; the rise and fall of the tides (time of high and low tides); lunar and solar eclipses decades in advance; and other predictable events of this nature in an ordered and clockwork Universe. There is no kudos or pats on the back given for soothsaying in this category.

Scientifically Predictable (Statistically Probable): Not everything is predictable with near absolute certainty, even in science. Some patterns are a bit too chaotic to yield to absolutes. The classic case is the weather. I’ve known predictions of a 100% chance of rain when not a drop fell! However, that’s very rare. Still, it tends to be a chance of thunderstorms, or this or that. That applies to earthquake predictions and similar events. Science can predict with 100% certainty that you’re going to kick-the-bucket. However, the exact moment in nearly all cases is uncertain. There is no kudos or pats on the back given for soothsaying in this category either. Read the rest of this entry »