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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of research as defined in the content?
What is the primary purpose of research as defined in the content?
Which paradigm dominated research approaches in the first half of the twentieth century?
Which paradigm dominated research approaches in the first half of the twentieth century?
What criticism emerged regarding positivism in the mid-twentieth century?
What criticism emerged regarding positivism in the mid-twentieth century?
What did early research primarily concern itself with?
What did early research primarily concern itself with?
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Which of the following social problems in the 19th century influenced the adaptation of social research?
Which of the following social problems in the 19th century influenced the adaptation of social research?
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What is one of the general goals of social research?
What is one of the general goals of social research?
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Which of the following categories falls under the pragmatic goals of social research?
Which of the following categories falls under the pragmatic goals of social research?
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Which motive for social research is primarily focused on enhancing the academic status of the researcher?
Which motive for social research is primarily focused on enhancing the academic status of the researcher?
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What is a potential bias that can occur in research?
What is a potential bias that can occur in research?
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Which of the following is emphasized as a vital aspect of ethical research?
Which of the following is emphasized as a vital aspect of ethical research?
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What is a consequence of controlling research, as implied in the content?
What is a consequence of controlling research, as implied in the content?
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Which type of research focuses primarily on qualitative methods aimed at understanding and empowerment?
Which type of research focuses primarily on qualitative methods aimed at understanding and empowerment?
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In the context of research, which of the following actions can be classified as ethical misconduct?
In the context of research, which of the following actions can be classified as ethical misconduct?
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Study Notes
Research and Its Evolution
- The purpose of research is to produce new knowledge.
- Early research was mainly philosophical and theological, focusing on wisdom, knowledge, and truth.
- The emergence of widespread social problems, like poverty and inequality, pushed for more practical research in the 19th century.
- Authorities used this research to inform policy decisions.
- Positivism, a scientific approach based on empirical testing and objectivity, became dominant in research during the first half of the 20th century.
Positivism & Its Criticisms
- It emphasizes an objective and foundationalist view of the world, where reality exists independently of our knowledge.
- Positivism aims to establish causal relationships between social phenomena.
- It has been criticized for its limitations in understanding the complexities of human behavior, social experiences, and subjective meanings.
Contemporary Research
- Research is now diverse and pluralistic, encompassing both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
- Qualitative research focuses on understanding, critiquing, suggesting, and empowering.
- Quantitative research aims to explore, explain, evaluate, predict, develop, and test theories.
- Mixed methods combine elements of both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Goals & Motives of Social Research
- Social research serves various purposes, including:
- General Goals: Understanding for its own sake.
- Theoretical Goals: Verification, falsification, modification, or discovery of a theory.
- Pragmatic Goals: Solving social problems.
- Political Goals: Developing social policy, evaluating programs and practices, and promoting social change.
- The motives behind research can be:
- Educational: To educate and inform the public.
- Magical: To provide credibility to researchers' or sponsors' views.
- Personal: To enhance a researcher's academic status.
- Institutional: To benefit the researcher's institution.
- Political: To support political agendas.
- Tactical: To delay decisions or actions during investigations.
The Power of Knowledge & Bias in Research
- Knowledge is power, and controlling research grants power.
- Bias can manifest in research:
- Choosing topics that align with a researcher's agenda.
- Focusing only on supportive literature.
- Seeking to prove personal convictions.
- Using biased indicators.
- Choosing research collection procedures that skew outcomes.
- Fabrication or falsification of data.
Ethics & Consequences of Power
- Ethical conduct is crucial in research.
- Laws have been enacted to uphold ethical research practices.
- Codes of ethics address:
- Protection of research participants' physical and mental well-being.
- Avoiding covert or hidden research.
- Respecting privacy.
- Maintaining anonymity and confidentiality.
- Preventing coercion.
- Avoiding plagiarism, fabrication, and concealment of findings.
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Description
Explore the evolution of research from early philosophical inquiries to contemporary pluralistic approaches. Understand the rise of positivism as a dominant scientific method and its critiques related to human behavior and social complexities.
