This is also used very greatly in Philosophy
EMPIRICAL- is the belief that the Physical world (the one you can touch) is the Real world.
They also believe:
SPECULATIVE: is also referred to as Rationalism (and is how I will refer to it here). Rationalism is the belief that the non-physical world (that which you cannot touch) is the Real world.
They also believe:
A popular question Rationalists have that you may come across in the future is "Did God create man; or did man create God?" Think about it!
Anyway, both are what are considered to be the World Views. They are both examples of Ontology and Epistemology. A good way to remember the difference between the two is this:
Empirical says: Life and Reality was here before man
Rationalism says: man creates reality
Please use the term "man" loosely as it does refer to as human.
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Empirical theories are based on observed data and evidence, making testable predictions and drawing conclusions from experimental results. Speculative theories, on the other hand, are based on conjecture or assumptions, lacking empirical evidence to support their claims. Empirical theories are considered to be more reliable and scientifically rigorous compared to speculative theories.
Sociologists use empirical evidence to refer to data that is collected through direct observation or experimentation, rather than relying on speculation or personal opinion. This evidence is used to support or refute hypotheses and theories about social phenomena.
Objective and systematic observation is used by sociologists to gather data and evidence that can be used to test theories and hypotheses. By observing behavior in a structured and objective manner, sociologists can gather reliable information that can help validate or refine sociological theories. This method allows researchers to study patterns and relationships within society in a rigorous and empirical way.
Lombroso's theories are largely dismissed in modern criminology due to their lack of empirical support and reliance on pseudoscientific ideas about biological determinism. His concept of the "born criminal" has been widely discredited, as it fails to account for the complex sociocultural factors that influence criminal behavior. Instead, contemporary criminology emphasizes environmental, psychological, and social explanations for criminal conduct.
Empirical evidence refers to data collected through direct observation or experimentation in the real world. Sociologists use empirical evidence to support their theories and conclusions based on systematically gathered information from the social world.
In sociology, a hypothesis is a proposed explanation or statement about a social phenomenon that can be tested through research. It is a prediction about the relationship between variables that is based on existing theories and empirical evidence. Hypotheses help guide sociological research and provide a framework for investigating social patterns and behaviors.