Using Mathematical Statistics Ethically in Research in The Social Sciences and Humanities

The aim of the authors is to consider some of the ethical challenges caused by the use of statistical methods for research in the humanities and social sciences (specifically education sciences). Statistics has the potential to be a useful tool in the research methodology of these sciences but, on t...

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Main Authors: Pavel Hanes, William Gibson, Dana Hanesova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Žilina 2018-05-01
Series:Communications
Subjects:
Online Access:https://komunikacie.uniza.sk/artkey/csl-201811-0014_using-mathematical-statistics-ethically-in-research-in-the-social-sciences-and-humanities.php
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author Pavel Hanes
William Gibson
Dana Hanesova
author_facet Pavel Hanes
William Gibson
Dana Hanesova
author_sort Pavel Hanes
collection DOAJ
description The aim of the authors is to consider some of the ethical challenges caused by the use of statistical methods for research in the humanities and social sciences (specifically education sciences). Statistics has the potential to be a useful tool in the research methodology of these sciences but, on the other hand, it can be abused and misused when the scientists are not aware of its limitations and pre-conditions. Most of the problems arise with deciding what to do to try to answer their questions and how to collect the data. How the data are collected affects how the data are analysed, and how the data will be analysed should affect how the data are collected. The authors will make an introduction to the topic by showing the tension in choosing either quantitative (statistical) or qualitative methodology for research in the human and social sciences over recent decades. Then they will present some ethical consequences of the misuse of mathematical statistics and emphasise the need for greater awareness and education about its correct use in the social sciences and humanities.
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spelling doaj.art-266420a929b448acb39eab13680754782023-04-14T06:31:45ZengUniversity of ŽilinaCommunications1335-42052585-78782018-05-01201A808810.26552/com.C.2018.1A.80-88csl-201811-0014Using Mathematical Statistics Ethically in Research in The Social Sciences and HumanitiesPavel Hanes0William Gibson1Dana Hanesova2Department of Theology and Catechetics, Faculty of Education, Matej Bel University, Banska Bystrica, SlovakiaRoyal Grammar School, Newcastle, EnglandDepartment of Theology and Catechetics, Faculty of Education, Matej Bel University, Banska Bystrica, SlovakiaThe aim of the authors is to consider some of the ethical challenges caused by the use of statistical methods for research in the humanities and social sciences (specifically education sciences). Statistics has the potential to be a useful tool in the research methodology of these sciences but, on the other hand, it can be abused and misused when the scientists are not aware of its limitations and pre-conditions. Most of the problems arise with deciding what to do to try to answer their questions and how to collect the data. How the data are collected affects how the data are analysed, and how the data will be analysed should affect how the data are collected. The authors will make an introduction to the topic by showing the tension in choosing either quantitative (statistical) or qualitative methodology for research in the human and social sciences over recent decades. Then they will present some ethical consequences of the misuse of mathematical statistics and emphasise the need for greater awareness and education about its correct use in the social sciences and humanities.https://komunikacie.uniza.sk/artkey/csl-201811-0014_using-mathematical-statistics-ethically-in-research-in-the-social-sciences-and-humanities.phpsocial scienceshumanitiesmathematicsstatisticsethicsresearch
spellingShingle Pavel Hanes
William Gibson
Dana Hanesova
Using Mathematical Statistics Ethically in Research in The Social Sciences and Humanities
Communications
social sciences
humanities
mathematics
statistics
ethics
research
title Using Mathematical Statistics Ethically in Research in The Social Sciences and Humanities
title_full Using Mathematical Statistics Ethically in Research in The Social Sciences and Humanities
title_fullStr Using Mathematical Statistics Ethically in Research in The Social Sciences and Humanities
title_full_unstemmed Using Mathematical Statistics Ethically in Research in The Social Sciences and Humanities
title_short Using Mathematical Statistics Ethically in Research in The Social Sciences and Humanities
title_sort using mathematical statistics ethically in research in the social sciences and humanities
topic social sciences
humanities
mathematics
statistics
ethics
research
url https://komunikacie.uniza.sk/artkey/csl-201811-0014_using-mathematical-statistics-ethically-in-research-in-the-social-sciences-and-humanities.php
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