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Research methods in social sciences : An Overview
This document provides an overview of key concepts in research methods in social sciences. It discusses what research is, the research cycle involving problem identification, objectives, research design, data collection and analysis. It covers scientific methods which rely on evidence, concepts and logical reasoning. The document outlines different approaches to social research like positivism, interpretivism and critical social research. It also discusses research design, data collection methods, inductive and deductive reasoning, types of research, and how to write a research report. Overall, the document serves as an introduction to foundational concepts and processes in social science research.
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Research methods in social sciences : An Overview
- 1. Research Methods inSocial Sciences An Introduction by K Rajasekharan Advocate, Thrissur Bar Email : [email protected]
- 2. What is Research? •Search for an answer to a question /solution to a problem • to extend knowledge, unravel mysteries, build theories • To verify & test facts, predict events & derive causal explanations • To solve problems & achieve national development • Based on scientific method
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- 5. Scientific Methods • Systematicstep by step procedure to seek facts / theories • Relies on evidence • Use concepts • Keeps objectivity • Follows ethical neutrality • Formulate generalization • Ensures verifiability • uses logical reasoning
- 6. Scientific Methods • Systematicstep by step procedure to seek facts or theories • Relies on evidence • Use concepts • Keeps objectivity • Follows ethical neutrality • Formulate generalization • Ensures verifiability • uses logical reasoning
- 7. Approaches in SocialResearch • Positivism : to establish the scientific laws of society –the causal relationship – which are arrived by testing hypothesis as in science • Intrepretivism : to build an understanding of the motives and intentions that underpin social behaviour • Critical Social Research : to ask critical questions with a view to changing society or to transform unequal power relationship
- 8. Steps in ScientificMethods • Systematic step by step procedure – • Observation, • Hypothesis, • Definition, • Gathering of data, • Analysis of data, • Conclusion
- 9. Scientific Attitude • Consistentthinking • Objective, dispassionate & unbiased • Avoid personal preconceptions • Ardent curiosity • Ability to rise from failure, patience and self control • Keeping open mind
- 10. Hypothesis • A tentativeproposition as to possible answers to a question • Guides the direction, suggests type of research • Descriptive hypothesis - Public enterprises are amenable for centralized planning • Rational hypothesis – Higher income families spent more on recreation • Null hypothesis – denying what are indicated • Statistical hypothesis– Group A is older than group B
- 11. Inductive Reasoning • Studyingseveral individual cases and drawing a generalization • Used when facts are studied, truths are un-covered • Induction involves observation and generalization • Eg a few experimental farms are studied and conclusion arrived
- 12. Deductive Reasoning • Applyinga general principle to a specific case – All apples are fruits ( Major premises) – All fruits grow on trees ( Minor premise) – Therefore all apples grow on trees(conclusion) • False premise can lead to fake results – All sincere employees are sincere – Mohan is a regular employee – Hence Mohan is sincere • Establishes a logical relationship
- 13. Correlation Vs Causation •Correlation can be confused with causation • Eg : No of fire engine and damage at a fire site • Eg : Divorce increase and crime increase have correlation but no causation • One can observe correlation but not cause. So infer cause which is fallible. Avoid infallible inferences • X causes y if x produces y • If x is present y will infallibly happen • But ensure particular condition : Pure water boils at 100 degree at sea level only
- 14. Types of Research •Pure Research : Basic, fundamental • Applied Research: Solution to a real life problem • Exploratory Research : Preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem • Diagnostic Study : Discovering what and why of happening • Descriptive Study : Fact finding investigation
- 15. Types of Research… Continued • Evaluation study: assess effectiveness • Action Research: Study to solve a problem • Experimental Research: assessing effect of a variable on a phenomenon • Analytical study: Analysis applied to data • Historical Research: Reconstructing origin & development • Survey Research : Fact finding
- 16. Types of Research… Continued • Case Study: study of a person, group r situation • Field Study: Community studies like survey • Quantitative Study: based on measurement of quantity or amount • Qualitative Research : concerned with qualitative phenomenon • Empirical Research: relies on experience or observation
- 17. What a ResearchDesign is • Research Design is the structure of research • a "glue" that holds all the elements in a research project together • A systematic plan/outline/blue print • A series of guideposts to show direction • Without a plan research work will be unfocused, aimless & wandering • Research plan describes boundaries, help perceive problems
- 18. Research Design :Content • Introduction : Historic perspective of the problem, the need for study& research interest in the study • Statement of the problem : Define research problem, point out its core nature & its importance • Review of literature: Describe earlier studies, point out the gaps& justify how the present study fill the gap • Scope of the study : The breadth, depth & area of the study. Demarcation of scope is to ensure manageability of study
- 19. Research Design :Content • Objective of the study : These are the questions to which answers are sought. Limit to a reasonable number. Be precise. • Conceptual model : The logical connection of variable, the assumption and propositions used to develop the framework are explained here • Hypothesis : Refers to the anticipated outcome or possible solutions to the research questions • Definition of Concepts : Define concepts used in the title, its objectives, hypothesis etc
- 20. Research Design :Content… Continued • Significance of study : Relevance & significance of the study. Value of the findings for policy making, solution of problems and other practical applications • Area covered : Territorial area to be covered • Period : • Methodology used Specify the type of design – experimental, descriptive, survey etc
- 21. Research Design :Content… Continued • Sampling : Selection of sample for study • Tools for gathering data : Tools such as interview, schedule, questionnaire etc used for data collection • Plan of analysis : Specify statistical technique used • Chapter scheme : Outline the chapter scheme • Time & financial budget
- 22. Method of Collectionof Data • Data are facts or other materials for analysis/making testing of hypothesis possible • Observation : Gathering data by viewing • Interviewing: Involves face to face conversation • Mail Survey : Getting Questionnaire completed • Experimentation : Involves study of independent variables • Sociometry: Graphic representation of social relationship • Simulation : Involves creation of an artificial situation similar to the actual situation
- 23. Tools for DataCollection • Tool is an instrument used for research • Schedule for Interview • Observation schedule : Form for recording observation • Interview guide : Suggestive Reference • Check List : A list pertinent to an object • Rating Scale : Measuring attitude • Opinionnaire : List of questions to an issue • Document schedule • Schedule for Institutions : Used for survey of organizations
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- 25. The Manner ofWriting the Report • Here is a problem • It is an interesting problem • It is an unsolved problem • Here is my idea • My idea works – details, data • Here’s how my idea compared to others approaches
- 26. Writing Reports • Keepsyour eye on the reader • Position words in the right sequence • Use unliterary style • Avoid long sentences • Say one thing at a time • Get to point into sentence, paragraph or report • Short paragraphs improves readability
- 27. Report : PreliminaryPages • Title Page • Research declaration • Certificate of Supervisor • Acknowledgement • Table of Contents • List of Tables • List of Diagrams • Abstract
- 28. Report : Bodyof the Report • Theoretical Background of the Problem • Statement of the Problem • Review of Literature • Scope of the study • Objective of the study • Hypotheses to be tested • Definition of concepts
- 29. Report : ResearchDesign • Methodology of data collection • Sources of Data • Data Collection tools • Data details • Limitation of the study
- 30. Report : TerminalParts • Results : Findings & Discussions • Conclusion & Recommendations • Bibliography • Appendix – Copies of data collection instruments – Technical details of sampling – Complex tables – Glossary
- 31. Style Manuals tobe Followed • Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing. 2nd ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1998. • The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th ed . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. • Council of Biology Editors. Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers. 6th ed. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1994.
- 32. What the Examinerwill look into • The importance of the study • Soundness of the methodology • Quality of Analysis • Significance of the findings • Format and style of presentation
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- 34. Life Skills aResearcher Needs to Develop • Reading : Books, news paper, magazines, manuals etc • Listening : to friends, radio, television • Watching : watch children, friends, social issues, tv • Choosing: choose deliberately • Questioning: Question the information we receive • Summarizing : summarize information. Organize it • Writing: to convey your mind to another mind
- 35. Ways of Reading: A Researcher Needs to Know • Skimming – reading contents, headings, introduction & conclusion • Scanning- rapid search for some information • Reading to understand – detailed study of a chapter • Word by word reading – reading every word carefully • Reading for pleasure – reading to relax & enjoy
- 36. Concept Mapping :A tool for Integrating Research Concepts
- 37. A Good Bookon Research Methods • Source : http://jws.himpub.com/himalaya/jsp/bookDetail.jsp?bookID=1514