Questions and Answers
What is one primary goal of social research?
What role does social research play in informing policy and practice?
It provides empirical evidence for making informed decisions.
Social research only focuses on the study of crime and health.
False
The process of social research can help identify pressing social __________.
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What is one primary goal of social research?
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Match the following purposes of social research with their descriptions:
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Social research exclusively utilizes qualitative methods for data collection.
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What is the Scientific Method?
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The ______ approach combines qualitative and quantitative methods in social research.
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Match the following characteristics of the Scientific Method with their descriptions:
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Study Notes
Meaning of Social Research
- Systematic study of social phenomena, relationships, and interactions in human societies.
- Employs scientific methods for data collection and analysis to understand societal functions and evolution.
- Covers topics like social structures (family, education, religion), social issues (poverty, inequality, crime, health), cultural phenomena (traditions, values), human interactions (communication, group dynamics), and social change.
Purpose of Social Research
- Aims to deepen understanding of societal operations and individual/group interactions, explaining social behaviors and patterns.
- Provides empirical evidence to inform policymakers and stakeholders, leading to effective policies and interventions for societal well-being.
- Identifies pressing social problems and their causes, highlighting areas needing attention and intervention.
- Evaluates effectiveness of social programs, offering recommendations for improvements or alternate approaches.
- Advances theoretical knowledge by challenging existing theories and proposing new hypotheses about social dynamics.
- Advocates for social change by revealing injustices and empowering marginalized groups.
- Promotes critical thinking and analytical skills, encouraging questioning of assumptions and rigorous data analysis.
- Enhances public awareness about social issues, fostering an informed and engaged citizenry.
Methods of Social Research
- Qualitative Methods: In-depth techniques like interviews and ethnography to understand participants' perspectives.
- Quantitative Methods: Surveys and statistical analyses to quantify phenomena and identify patterns.
- Mixed Methods: Combining qualitative and quantitative approaches for a comprehensive understanding.
Meaning of the Scientific Method
- A systematic, logical approach to discovering how the universe works, involving hypothesis formation, experimentation, and result analysis.
- Ensures findings are objective, reproducible, and verifiable, crucial for scientific inquiry.
Characteristics of the Scientific Method
- Empirical: Based on observable and measurable evidence.
- Systematic: Follows a structured sequence of steps.
- Replicable: Results can be duplicated in subsequent experiments.
- Objectivity: Focuses on observable phenomena, minimizing personal biases.
Importance of Objectivity
- Enhances credibility and trustworthiness of research findings and conclusions.
- Ensures reliability and reproducibility, essential for scientific accuracy.
- Promotes fairness by eliminating biases that can influence outcomes.
- Leads to precise results focused solely on factual information.
- Supports ethical integrity in research processes.
Qualitative Research
- Focuses on understanding human behavior and experiences, exploring decision-making reasons.
- Characterized by subjectivity, exploratory nature, and descriptive, non-numerical data.
- Methods: interviews, focus groups, observations, ethnography, and content analysis.
- Advantages include depth of understanding and flexibility, while limitations involve subjectivity and time consumption.
Quantitative Research
- Quantifies data collection and analysis, aiming to measure variables and test hypotheses using statistical methods.
- Characterized by objectivity, structured approaches, and numerical data.
- Methods: surveys, experiments, longitudinal and cross-sectional studies.
- Strives for generalizable results applicable to larger populations.
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Description
This quiz explores the meaning and purpose of social research, emphasizing systematic studies of social phenomena and human interactions. It covers key topics such as social structures, cultural phenomena, and the significance of research in informing policies and addressing social issues.
