Second-order knowledge claims:
1. Surveys are an accurate form of research method in the human sciences which can be used to generalise the public.
2. Common timeframes equal causation.
3. Correlational based research is an accurate support for causation which defines certain relationships of multiple events.
4. Experts are a reliable source of knowledge.
5. Theories within the Human Sciences are sound.
Knowledge Question:
1. To what extent do research methods in the Human Sciences provide knowledge on behaviour?
The article focuses on how a TV show may increase suicidal behaviour which may cause increased suicide rates. Much of the data that supports the mentioned claims are statistical and correlation making the people and experts come to various conclusions.
Empirical data is used quite often to gain insight on human behaviour first-hand, researchers may delve into the ways humans may react to events or each other. This can provide conditional results on behaviour which can help a conclusion, however, many of these experiments acknowledge a lot of outside variables that may influence results. For example, the mere knowledge of a situation may influence behaviour unconsciously creating slightly unreliable or invalid results.
The article "Did 13 Reasons Why Spark a Suicide Contagion Effect?" does not feature any empirical data as support rather qualitative through statistical and correlational studies. It relies on a correlational of events linked simply by time frame, the time frame of searches or internet activity and the run of the show. The information presented implies that the media coverage on the show and the show itself may increase suicidal tendencies and attempted suicides. For much of the article, it pushes this idea but does not consider the closed aspect of the method taking.
Google queries being increased during the release of the show gives insight into a change in human behaviour but not specifically the behaviour itself. Its one-sided acquiring of data neglects the intent behind the searches as the show could have just increase fascination with suicide. a fascination does not always equal the behaviour of the and subject, even if it does, the information does not research or discuss these elements. This neglects a large portion of human behaviour being intent and decision-making due to the vague information.
Unreliability is further increased with the ignoring of external factors, the time frame is heavily relied upon in this data. This makes their correlational non-substantial as the events may be contributed to other matters happening within the world which, again, is caused by the results broadness.
