Research Methods in Social Sciences

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of descriptive research?

To formulate hypotheses based on past events.

To build complex management models.

To gain familiarity with a phenomenon.

To describe the current state of affairs. (correct)

Which method is not a part of exploratory research?

Case study

Survey of literature

Experience survey

Data analysis (correct)

Historical research primarily seeks to do what?

Establish cause and effect relationships.

Create new management models.

Induce principles from past events. (correct)

Conduct surveys of current opinions.

What distinguishes individual research from group research?

Individual research is based on personal interest. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of library research?

Digging into historical event interpretations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of model building research?

Creating a sales forecasting model. Signup and view all the answers

Exploratory research is particularly needed when:

Theories are too general or too specific. Signup and view all the answers

What role does reflective thinking play in historical research?

It assists in tracing past social forces. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of a research design?

To serve as a blueprint for the research Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a recommended feature of a study title?

It should be engaging to attract interest Signup and view all the answers

Why is a review of literature important in research?

It identifies gaps in existing research Signup and view all the answers

What factor influences the sample size in a survey regarding a Government policy?

The literacy level of the respondents Signup and view all the answers

What should the objectives of a study accomplish?

Guide the researcher's inquiry Signup and view all the answers

How should hypotheses be formulated in research?

In clear and concise language Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes sampling errors?

Errors that occur due to studying only a part of the total population. Signup and view all the answers

What type of error can occur in both complete enumeration and sampling?

Non-sampling errors Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the scope of the study?

The timeframe and budget limitations of the study Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of operational definitions in research?

To clarify ambiguous terms used in the study Signup and view all the answers

Which option is an example of a non-sampling error?

Errors due to vague definitions in questionnaires Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of biased sampling errors?

They result from flaws in data collection and analysis methods. Signup and view all the answers

What criteria should a problem statement meet?

It should be clear, simple, and concise Signup and view all the answers

What aids in verifying the truth of a hypothesis in research?

Experimentation and quantitative measurements Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following reasons increases non-sampling errors in a survey?

Large sample sizes Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily considered when collecting primary data through surveys?

The resources, including money and time, available to the researcher Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary method of data collection?

Mailing of questionnaires Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of internal data?

Government census data Signup and view all the answers

What role does the investigator play in statistical enquiry?

To conduct the statistical enquiry Signup and view all the answers

Which data collection method involves direct questioning of individuals?

Telephone interviews Signup and view all the answers

What are secondary data primarily derived from?

Information published by external agencies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents how data can be classified?

Primary and secondary Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main advantages of observation as a data collection method?

It avoids biases from respondent recall Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes primary data from secondary data?

Primary data is collected firsthand for specific research Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a merit of conducting personal interviews for collecting primary data?

It allows for the collection of original data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant disadvantage of personal interviews?

They are unsuitable for large geographical areas. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key advantage of using indirect oral investigations?

They can be used for investigations across larger areas. Signup and view all the answers

Why might the information gathered through indirect oral investigation be considered less reliable?

Direct contact with informants is lacking. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a disadvantage of indirect oral investigation?

Careless informants can impact accuracy. Signup and view all the answers

What is a major benefit of using correspondents to collect information?

Extensive and economical information can be gathered. Signup and view all the answers

Which situation is most likely to lead to inaccurate data collection during an interview process?

Selecting an improper person to interview. Signup and view all the answers

How do personal interviews differ from indirect oral investigations?

Interviews involve direct contact with participants. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Descriptive Research

Descriptive Research focuses on describing the current state of affairs.
Used for surveys and fact-finding inquiries.
In social sciences and business, it is also called Ex Facto Research.

Exploratory Research

Exploratory research aims to gain familiarity with a phenomenon or uncover new insights.
Helpful for formulating a more precise research problem or developing hypotheses.
Used when existing theories are too general or specific to formulate a hypothesis.
Three approaches to exploratory research:
- Survey of Literature
- Experience Survey
- Case Study

Historical Research

Historical research involves induction of principles through investigating the past and social forces that shaped the present.
Aims to apply reflective thinking to unsolved social problems by discovering past trends of events, facts, and attributes, and tracing lines of development in human thought and action.

Individual and Group Research

Individual research: undertaken by a single researcher based on personal interest and capacity.
Group research: undertaken by several researchers, often found in colleges and universities funded by grants.

Library Research

Conducted using written materials, primarily found in large libraries.
Focuses on the evolution of theories, studying cause-and-effect relationships, and seeking out significant facts and interpretations of past data found in journals and reports.

Model Building Research

Primarily carried out in the field of management.
Uses various management science theories to create complex models.
Examples in business: sales forecasting models, advertising models, inventory control models, production control models, and capital investment models.

Research Design

Logical and systematic planning that guides a research study.
It's the blueprint of the research, outlining decisions regarding what, where, when, how much, and by what means the research will be conducted.

Components of Research Design

Title of the Study:
- Should be specific, indicative of the study's topic, and use professional language.
Introduction:
- Brief explanation of the study's overall purpose.
Statement of the Problem:
- A clear, concise, and simple statement of the problem the research aims to address.
Review of Literature:
- Examines previous research findings on the topic, identifying areas where little research has been conducted, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of previous studies, and validating current findings.
Scope of the Study:
- Determined by factors such as available time, money, sample size, and cooperation from participants.
Objectives of the Study:
- Clear statements that guide the researcher and ensure accuracy within given resources. Objectives must be within the study's scope.
Formulation and Testing of Hypothesis:
- Hypotheses are formulated to explain observed facts, conditions, or behaviors and guide the research process. Each hypothesis is individually tested to determine its validity. Hypotheses should be stated clearly, concisely, and understandably.
Operational Definition of Concepts:
- Clarification of unclear terms used in the study to ensure understanding of the terminology.
Nature of Respondents:
- The characteristics of respondents (e.g., literacy level) can influence the sample size and the success of a survey.

Sampling and Non-Sampling Errors

Sampling Errors: Occur due to studying only a portion of the total population.
- Biased Errors: Result from biases in selection, data collection, or analysis methods.
- Unbiased Errors: Occur due to random differences between population members.
Non-Sampling Errors: Can occur in any survey, regardless of complete enumeration or sampling.
- Include biases and mistakes caused by factors like vague population definitions, unclear questionnaires, inappropriate statistical units, inaccurate data collection methods, and errors during tabulation and presentation. Non-sampling errors tend to increase with larger sample sizes and require careful control and reduction.

Collection of Data

Primary data can be collected through experiments or surveys.
In surveys, data can be collected using methods like observation, personal interviews, telephone interviews, mailed questionnaires, and schedules.

Methods of Data Collection

Observation: Observing and recording information about a phenomenon without direct interaction with the subjects.
Interview: Direct, face-to-face interaction with individuals to collect data through questions and answers.
Mail Questionnaire: Sending pre-designed questionnaires to potential respondents through mail.
Life History, Published and Unpublished Records: Using existing records, diaries, journals, magazines, letters, newspapers, memories, radio and TV programs, films, and public speeches to gather data.

Internal Data

Data generated from internal sources within an organization or firm, such as records of purchases, production, sales, and profit.
Government departments also generate internal data for their internal functioning.

External Data

Data collected and published by external agencies.
Can be obtained from primary or secondary sources.
Primary Data: Collected directly from the source of information through field research or documentary sources.
Secondary Data: Data collected by someone else for a different purpose.

Methods Adopted for Collecting Primary Data

Personal Interview: Direct interaction with individuals to collect data through questions and answers.
- Merits:
  - Provides original (first-hand) data.
  - Allows for reliable and accurate data collection.
  - The interviewer can extract correct information.
  - High accuracy can be achieved.
  - Maintains uniformity and homogeneity of data.
- Demerits:
  - Not suitable for large areas.
  - Expensive.
  - More susceptible to bias.
  - Untrained interviewers may affect results.
Indirect Oral Investigation: Collecting information through third parties who have knowledge of the informant.
- Merits:
  - Simple and Convenient.
  - Saves time, money, and labor.
  - Information is less biased.
  - Provides adequate information.
  - Can be used for large areas.
- Demerits:
  - Lack of direct contact may lead to unreliable information.
  - An improper interviewer can spoil the results.
  - Requires interviewing a sufficient number of people to get a true picture.
  - Careless informants can negatively impact accuracy.
Information from Correspondents: Using correspondents to gather information and report it to the investigator.
- Merits:
  - Allows for extensive information gathering.
  - Economical and cost-effective.
  - Enables rapid information collection.

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Description

This quiz covers various research methods used in social sciences, including descriptive, exploratory, historical, and individual/group research. Learn about their purposes, methodologies, and applications in real-world scenarios. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of research techniques.