Methods Of Social Research PDF

Methods Of Social Research Research Process Questions Introduction What is research Social science research or social work research? Propose of Research What we can do with research Recent Trends in Social Science Research  Sciences are broadly divided into natura...

Methods Of Social Research Research Process Questions Introduction What is research Social science research or social work research? Propose of Research What we can do with research Recent Trends in Social Science Research  Sciences are broadly divided into natural and social science Social science includes various disciplines dealing with human life ,behavior, social groups and social institution They consists of anthropology, behavioral sciences,commmerce,demogrphy,economics,education, geography,history,law,legislation, psychology, public administration ,sociology and social work  Social sciences are not exact sciences like physical sciences. it always deals with human nature and environment and which is so complex. no one person is consistent from one moment to another. A controlled experiment is not possible in social sciences but it is sine qua non of empirical sciences. ( how the discipline gathered information?) Research: Composed of two words re and search Again, or over again/closely, carefully, to test or to investigate A noun describing a careful and systematic study in some field of knowledge undertaken to establish facts or principles Research is a structured inquiry that utilizes acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and create new knowledge that is generally applicable  Research is “an ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC way of FINDING ANSWERS to QUESTIONS”. 1. SYSTEMATIC :because there is a definite set of procedures and steps which you will follow. There are certain things in the research process which are always done in order to get the most accurate results. 2. ORGANIZED : in that there is a structure or method in going about doing research. It is a planned procedure, not a spontaneous one. It is focused and limited to a specific scope. 3. FINDING ANSWERS :is the end of all research. Whether it is the answer to a hypothesis or even a simple question, research is successful when we find answers. Sometimes the answer is no, but it is still an answer. 4. QUESTIONS: are central to research. If there is no question, then the answer is of no use. Research is focused on relevant, useful, and important questions. Without a question, research has no focus, drive, or purpose.  Research ( Defined as ) “Research is an Endeavour to discover, develop and verify knowledge” Scientific research is a systematic and objective effort to offer solutions to problems Research invokes cause and effect relationships and helps to formulate policies and programes  “it is systematic and objective attempt to study a problem for the purpose of deriving general principles” (Theodorson & Theodorson) “It is systematic investigation to find solutions to a problem”.(Robert Burns)  Social Science Research It is systematic method of exploring analyzing and conceptualizing human life in order to extend ,corrector verify knowledge of human behavior and social life.it seeks to find explanations to unexplained social phenomena ,to clarify the doubtful and misconceived facts of social life.  Objectives of Research 1. To discover new facts 2. Verify and test old facts 3. To understand human behavior 4. To know connection between human activities and natural laws 5. To develop new scientific tools concepts and theories –Extend the area of knowledge 6. To understand the functioning of the society. 7. To study individual behavior and social action. 8. To evaluate social problems ,their effects, solution 9. To explore social reality 10. To develop theories  Limitation of Social Science research a) Scientist : b) Complexity of the subject matter c) Human problems d) Refusal of respondents e) Personal values f) Wrong decisions Objectives Of Good Research To apply geographical knowledge gained in the classroom to what is seen and observed in the field. To find out the answers for the questions raised as result of reading. To identify specific geographical problems and to solve them. To acquire skills and competence in map reading and interpretation recording techniques. It enables students to identify social problems and how to solve them. To improve classroom learning through projects Alternative to Research Authority Tradition Common sense Media myths Experience  Authority When you accept something as true just because someone in a position of authority says it is true or it is an authoritative publication, you are using authority as basis of knowledge. Eg. Parents, Teachers, Books. Tradition Tradition is a special case of authority-the authority of the past. It means you accept something as being true because “it’s the way things have always been.  Common Sense You rely on what everyone knows and what “just makes sense”. It is about ordinary reasoning. It can originate from tradition Media Myths Media tends to perpetuate the myths of a culture. Personal Experience If something happens to you, if you personally experience it or see it, you accept it as true. Types of Social Research There are different types of research based on different aspects such as: Purpose, Process Outcome  Different types of research coming under the category purpose are: I. Descriptive research II. Analytical research III. Exploratory research IV. Predictive research  DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH It includes fact-finding enquiries of different kinds such as what, why, when, who, how and all. The main aim of this research is description of the characteristics of a phenomena at present. This research has no control over the variable only have to report what is happening or what has happened For description researchers use frequencies, averages and other statistical calculations. The methods used by this researchers involves survey method of all kind including comparative and co relational method The periodic table categorizes the elements is an  ANALYTICAL RESEARCH This research mainly carrying out analysis on a phenomena and which involves secondary data. The aim of this research is to understand phenomena by discovering and measuring causal relations among them. Here the researcher use facts or information’s readily available to them in order to analyze to make a critical evaluation of the context. It work within the constraints variables. It also tries to explain existing state of affairs from available data. How can the absentee rate among employees be reduced? It is an example of analytical research  EXPLORATORY RESEARCH An exploratory design is conducted about a research problem when there are few or no earlier studies to refer to. The focus is on gaining insights and familiarity for later investigation or undertaken when problem are in a preliminary stage of investigation. Gathers preliminary information that will help to define a problem and suggest a hypothesis. It commonly use unstructured interview. It involves generation of new ideas and assumption, development of tentative theories or hypothesis but conclusions cannot be drawn even though it provide direction for future research and techniques  PREDICTIVE RESEARCH It studies determine the frequency with which something occurs or its association with something else. In diagnostic research the researcher must be able to define clearly, what he wants to measure and must find adequate method for measuring t along with clear cut definition of ‘population’ he wants to study. Statistical tools used in this research design includes regression, linear regression and logistic regression The major areas in which predictive / diagnostic research design used include: business, marketing, clinical setting, govt agency and all  Different types of research coming under the category process are: 1. Qualitative research 2. Quantitative research  QUALITATIVE RESEARCH It is handled with qualitative phenomena that involves quality or kind. The research designed to find out how people feel or what people often think are coming under this research. it is important in behavioral sciences. Its aim is to discover the underlying motives of human behavior through detailed description. The data is in the form of words, pictures or objects and all  QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH This research is based on the measurement of quantity or amount. It can only be expressed in terms of quantity. Researcher use tools such as questionnaire or equipment to collect data and all aspect of the study are carefully designated before data is collected. Here data is in the form of numbers or statistics and this data is more efficient and able to test  Different types of research coming under the category outcome are: 1. Applied or action research 2. Fundamental or Basic or pure research  APPLIED RESEARCH It is defined as a research which is used to answer a specific question, solve a specific problem or to gain better understanding. It also known as action research. It aims at finding solution for an immediate problem facing in society or an organization through systematic inquiry involving practical application of science, based on the level and type of involvement researcher can differ this research based ion the scope of work. It is designed to solve problem of modern world than acquire knowledge. The main goal of applied scientist is to improve the human condition for example: treat or cure a specific disease  FUNDAMENTAL OR BASIC OR PURE RESEARCH This research is concerned with generalization and formulation of theory. It is done for the intellectual pleasure on learning and it has no commercial value attached to the discoveries that result from basic research. This type of research has limited direct applications but in which researcher has careful control over the research setting. It involves collection and analysis of data to develop or enhances theory and have an understanding of theoretical relationship between variables  Some other types of researchers are also there ONE TIME RESEARCH/ LONGITUDINAL RESEARCH In this research one group have to studied for long time and it studies different stages in an individual’s life and all FIELD SETTING RESEARCH/ LABORATORY RESEARCH/ SIMULATION RESEARCH This research is depending upon the environment take into consider for research  CLINICAL RESEARCH There type of research follows case-study method and have an in depth approach in order to study causal relationships HISTORICAL RESEARCH In this research researcher utilizes historical sources like documents, events and all in order to understand past, point of time and all CONCEPTUAL RESEARCH This research is completely based on some abstract ideas or theory EMPIRICAL RESEARCH It is completely based on experiences or observations