Introduction

This course explores how social science helps to inform and shape public debates and policy-making processes. It introduces the idea that the descriptions (measurements, dates and representations) and understandings (concepts, explanations, theories and interpretations) developed by social scientists contribute to actually making the social worlds we live in. In other words, social science helps to make visible (or describe) social phenomena, and make sense of (or understand) social processes. In doing so, it makes a difference to the social worlds it investigates (it helps to enact them).

This OpenLearn course provides a sample of Level 2 study in Social sciences