Question

Provide an example of how theory can be confirmed or validated

during a typical professional workday; and 2.b. Provide an example
of a situation in which the use of theory and empiric research may
not

Answer 1

Theory can be confirmed or validated in social studies through practical examples such as analyzing election outcomes or studying the relationship between poverty and crime. However, historical interpretations may not always align with empirical research.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a typical professional workday, theory can be confirmed or validated through various examples in social studies. For instance, a political scientist may use a theoretical framework to analyze and predict the outcome of an election. If the theory accurately predicts the election results, it can be confirmed as valid. Another example is in sociology, where a theory about the relationship between poverty and crime can be tested by collecting empirical data and analyzing if the data supports or refutes the theory.

An example of a situation where theory and empirical research may not align in social studies is when analyzing historical events. Historians often have to rely on theories and interpretations to understand past events, as direct empirical observations are not always possible. Different historians may have different theories or interpretations of the same event, leading to divergence in understanding without clear empirical validation.