Introduction to Social Science Research PDF

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH JOB 1  LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the end of this lecture, you should be able to: Explain the nature of Research Introduction to Business Research The scientific method, addre...

INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH JOB 1  LEARNING OBJECTIVES At the end of this lecture, you should be able to: Explain the nature of Research Introduction to Business Research The scientific method, addressing Management problems with scientific thinking 2  QUESTION What is Research? 3  CONCEPTS AND NATURE OF RESEARCH Meaning of Research Fact finding through the collection and interpretation of data To obtain a better understanding of such issues as voting patterns, inflation rates, state of unemployment in a country, etc., numerical facts and figures need to be reviewed and interpreted. The process of collecting relevant factual information/data, analysing them, drawing conclusions, and deciding further courses of action is known as Research. 4  CONCEPTS AND NATURE OF RESEARCH Definition ‘Something that people undertake in order to find things out in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge’ Saunders et al. (2009) Characteristics Data are collected systematically Data are interpreted systematically There is a clear purpose to find things out  CONCEPTS AND NATURE OF RESEARCH  Research is a serious academic activity with a set of objectives to analyse problems and find solutions by adopting a systematic approach in collecting, organising and analysing the information related to the problem. Research Method A research method consists of various steps that are generally adopted by a researcher in studying a problem together with the logic behind it, and finding a solution for it. It is a way to systematically solve a research problem. 6  TERMINOLOGY Methods The techniques and procedures used to obtain data Methodology The theory of how research should be undertaken Saunders et al. (2009)  QUESTION Define the Term “Scientific Method” 8  SCIENTIFIC METHOD  The analysis and interpretation of empirical evidence (facts from observation or experimentation) to confirm or disprove prior conceptions. 9  SCIENTIFIC METHOD…CON’T  The essential tenets of the scientific method are: Direct observation of phenomena Clearly defined variables, methods, and procedures Empirical testable hypotheses The ability to rule out rival hypotheses Statistical rather than linguistic justification of conclusions The self-correcting process 10  CONCEPTS AND NATURE OF RESEARCH  Statistics  The application of scientific method in the analysis of numerical data for the purpose of making rational decisions.  After data is collected, statistical methods are available to summarize and describe the prominent features of the data. These statistical methods are commonly known as descriptive statistics.  Descriptive statistics  can be defined as those methods involving the collection, presentation, and characterization of a set of data in order to properly describe the various features of that set of data. 11  QUESTION What are the Purposes for undertaking a Research? 12  RESEARCH PURPOSES  To assess reliability of present “knowledge”  To create new knowledge  To achieve status  To secure promotion in an academic environment 13  QUESTION What are the types of Research? 14  TYPES AND NATURE OF RESEARCH Types of Research a) Qualitative Research Qualitative means a non-numerical data collection or explanation based on the attributes of the graph or source of data. Qualitative research is a method of inquiry employed in many different academic disciplines, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and in other contexts. Qualitative researchers aim to gather an in-depth understanding of human behaviour and the reasons that govern such behaviour. 15  TYPES AND NATURE OF RESEARCH  The qualitative method investigates the why and how of issues and not just what, where, or when.  Measuring attitude, awareness, etc. is a qualitative function where the cause could not be expressed in terms of quantity but in terms of attributes.  In qualitative research, the researcher's role receives greater critical attention.  Qualitative research is often used for policy and program evaluation research since it can answer certain important questions more efficiently and effectively than quantitative approaches. 16  TYPES AND NATURE OF RESEARCH  This is particularly the case for understanding how and why certain outcomes were achieved (not just what was achieved) but also for answering important questions about relevance, unintended effects and impact of programs.  Qualitative approaches have the advantage of allowing for more diversity in responses as well as the capacity to adapt to new developments or issues during the research process itself – flexibility. 17  TYPES AND NATURE OF RESEARCH b) Quantitative Research In the social sciences, quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical investigation of quantitative properties and phenomena and their relationships. The objective of quantitative research is to develop and employ mathematical models, theories and/or hypotheses pertaining to phenomena. The process of measurement is central to quantitative research because it provides the fundamental connection between empirical observation and mathematical expression of quantitative relationships. 18  TYPES AND NATURE OF RESEARCH  The output of this type of research should be presented in quantifiable terms.  Statistics is the most widely used branch of mathematics in quantitative research outside of the physical sciences.  Statistical methods are used extensively within fields of physical and social sciences. 19  TYPES AND NATURE OF RESEARCH  Quantitative research using statistical methods starts with the collection of data, based on the hypothesis or theory.  Usually a big sample of data is collected - this would require verification, validation and recording before the analysis can take place.  Software packages are typically used for this purpose. 20  QUESTION What are the differences between Qualitative and Quantitative Research? 21  TYPES AND NATURE OF RESEARCH Difference Between Quantitative and Qualitative Research Qualitative research seeks to explore phenomena; whilst quantitative research seeks to confirm hypotheses about phenomena. Qualitative research seeks to describe variation; whilst quantitative research seeks to quantify variation. Qualitative research seeks to describe and explain relationships; whilst quantitative research seeks to predict causal relationships. 22 QUANTITATIVE VS. QUALITATIVE 23  NATURE OF RESEARCH  Systematic – plan, identify, design, collect data, evaluate  Logical – examine procedures to evaluate conclusions  Empirical – decisions are based on data (observation)  Reductive – general relationships are established from data  Replicable – actions are recorded 24  PART TWO An Overview of Social Science Research 25  BUSINESS RESEARCH DEFINED  Social Science research is a systematic inquiry that provides information to guide decisions making.  Social Science research is also defined as the systematic and objective process of generating information for aid in making social decisions. 26  BUSINESS RESEARCH…CON’T. Thus, Social Science Research specifically is the process of: Planning Acquiring Analyzing and disseminating relevant data, information; and insights to decision makers to take appropriate actions 27  Social Science RESEARCH  Information Reduces Uncertainty  “It ain’t the things we don’t know that gets us in trouble. It’s the things we know that ain’t so.” Artemus Ward 28  SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH The Purpose of Social Science Research: To identify and define opportunities and problems To define, monitor, and refine strategies and tactics To improve our understanding of the various aspects of society 29  FEATURES OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH  Social Scientist draw on knowledge from other disciplines  Social Scientist are more likely to allow access if they see commercial or personal advantage  Social Scientist require research to have some practical consequence Easterby-Smith et al. (2008) FEATURES OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH Basic and applied research Sources: Easterby-Smith et al. (2008); Hedrick et al. (1993)  QUESTION What are the factors that determine when to conduct Social Science Research? 32  DETERMINING WHEN TO CONDUCT BUSINESS RESEARCH Time constraints Availability of data Nature of the decision Benefits versus costs 33  DETERMINING WHEN TO CONDUCT SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH Availability of Data Benefits vs. Nature of the Decision Costs Time Constraints Is the infor- Does the value Is sufficient time Yes mation already Yes Is the decision Yes of the research Yes Conducting available before of considerable a managerial on hand strategic information Social Science inadequate exceed the cost decision for making or tactical of conducting Research must be made? importance? the decision? research? No No No No Do Not Conduct Research  VALUE VERSUS COSTS  Potential Value of a Social Science Research Effort Should Exceed Its Estimated Costs 35  VALUE SHOULD EXCEED ESTIMATED COSTS Costs Value Research expenditures Decreased uncertainty Delay of valuable social decision and possible Increased likelihood of disclosure of information a correct decision Possible erroneous Improved societal research results performance and resulting social benefits SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH IN THE 21ST CENTURY  Increased globalization  Growth of the Internet and other information technologies  THE INTERNET IS TRANSFORMING SOCIETY  Time is collapsing.  Distance is no longer an obstacle.  Crossing oceans is only a mouse click away.  People are connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  "Instantaneous" has a new meaning.  QUESTION Is research always Problem-solving Based? 39  ANSWER Yes. Researchers are often asked to respond to problems that managers need to solve. Applied research has a practical problem solving emphasis. Thus it is done to solve a particular problem Pure Research or Basic research aims at solving perplexing questions that has little direct or immediate impact on action. 40  THE RESEARCH PROCESS Stages of the research process  Formulating and clarifying a topic  Reviewing the literature  Designing the research  Collecting data  Analysing data  Writing up  THE RESEARCH PROCESS Factors to consider  The impact of your personal feelings and beliefs  Access to data  Time and other resources  Validity and reliability of the data  Ethical issues  THE RESEARCH PROCESS And finally…….. “there is no one best way for undertaking all research” Saunders et al. (2009)