Reading in the Social Sciences
The goals for reading
The goals for reading in the social sciences are much like they are for reading in other areas:
• read actively
• identify arguments
• weigh evidence
• evaluate sources
• question assumptions
• identify biased information
Be aware in reading and writing about social sciences of the distinction between criticize (to find fault with, to judge unfavorably or harshly) and critique (to review or analyze, which is also a noun: a critique of…). When asked to critique a reading, you are not being asked to criticize it, but to analyze it.