1-What is Social Research

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1. What is Social Research

Definitions

Social Research is the invention of modern social scientists.

History of Modern research techniques is no longer than 150

years

The Republic by Socrates (2000 years), Book talks about various

social phenomena and interpreted in philosophical and political

context , Divided public in to three categories :Gold, Sliver,

bronze

Thales (640-550 BC) Founder of empirical research (observation

natural events

Aristotle (384-322 BC) scientific research, Plato (speculation and

mysticism)

Greek Philosopher influenced European scholars and scientists

Research is an ORGANIZED and SYSTEMATIC way ofFINDING ANSWERS to

QUESTIONS.

SYSTEMATICprocess because there is a definite set of procedures and steps are

involved. Which research must follow to get the most accurate results?

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.

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.

QUESTIONSare central part of 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.

Everywhere, our knowledge is incomplete and problems are waiting to be

solved. We address the void in our knowledge and those unresolved

problems by asking relevant questions and seeking answers to them. The

role of research is to provide a method for obtaining those answers by


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inquiringly studying the evidence within the parameters of the scientific

method. careful study and investigation for the purpose of discovering and

explaining new knowledge 2 : the collecting of information about a subject

A systematic study directed toward fuller scientific knowledge orunderstanding of the subject studied.

The application of the scientific approach (observation, hypothesis,experimentation, communication) to the study of a problem or question.

Research is a process through which we attempt to achieve systematically

and with the support of data the answer to a question, the resolution of a

problem, or a greater understanding of a phenomenon. This process, which

is frequently called research methodology, has seven distinct characteristics:

1. Research originates with a question or problem.

2. Research requires a clear articulation of a goal.

3. Research follows a specific plan of procedure.

4. Research usually divides the principal problem into more

manageable subproblems.

5. Research is guided by the specific research problem, question, or

hypothesis.

6. Research accepts certain critical assumptions.7. Research requires the collection and interpretation of data in

attempting to resolve the problem that initiated the research.

Research Motives

Educational: to educate and inform public

Personal: To promote academic status as researcher

Political: To provide support to political plans

Enhance credibility among researchers and sponsors Identified cultural and behavior problems and their solution


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Aims To explore social reality- make social research possible

To explain social life by providing reliable, valid and well documented information

To evaluate the status of social issues and their effect on society; to make

predictions

To develop or test theory

To understand human behavior and actions

Explain social reality

To suggest solution to social problem

To empower and liberate people.

ObjectivityQuantitative research

Value neutrality ; should be research not reformer, should be neutral observer notanalysis, not philosopher

The researcher personal values, biases, judgments should be kept out of research.

Good for politicians not for social scientist

Nornativism:based on norms, objectivity or value neutrality is unattainable

The Middle View: Objectivity should be observed in same stages: data collection,

Planning of research, independent data results

Qualitative research

Employed two or more researchers to reach same results.

Inter-coder reliability

Politics of Social Research Research finding depends upon many factors: academics, social conditions, politics,

ideological influence

Who control the research outcome? Important question: government or interest

groups

Qualitative research values are really important

Findings affect the public life.

Who is Research sponsored- sponsored preferred findings by researchers; affect

credibility of researcher. Example how valid the research on the effects of smokingon cancer if it is conducted by researchers of tobacco companies? How credible are

the findings of a study carried out by a factory saying that the waste produced

dumped in the nearby lake pose no threat to environment?

Research can be used for promotion. Sponsor Prohibit researcher to publish results of the research.

Government influence the research by offer finding for some Example wife abuse istop priority, while husband abuse is low priority research. issues/topics and ignore

the others

Types of Social Research


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1. Quantitative ResearchBased on the principles of positivism and neoposotivisim,

strict research design, quantitative measurements are

required, use statistical analysis

Positivism is aphilosophy that states that the only authentic knowledge is

scientific knowledge, and that such knowledge can only come from

conformation of theories through strict scientific method Measure objective facts

Focus on variables

Value free

Statistical analysis

Researcher detached

2. Basic ResearchPurpose of gaining knowledge, advanced understanding about social world,

helping in supporting or rejecting existing theories

3. Applied Research

Related to social and policy studies

Example: Social impact studies: medias impact on public, action research,

evaluation research (Teaching evaluation by The Office of Assessment and

Institutional Research), cost benefit analysis Applied research is aimed at gaining knowledge or

understanding to determine the means by which a specific,

recognized need may be met. ...

Original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new

knowledge but is directed primarily towards a specific, practical

aim or objective

4. Longitudinal Analysis

Study of sample more than one occasion Example panel studies and trend studies, sexual behavior

studies, fashion trends, behavior analysis studies

5. Qualitative Research

Non quantitative data analysis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy


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Number of methodological approaches drive result through

social interactionism

Construct social reality

Focus on interactive process

Values are present

Researcher is involved

Situational factors

The purpose of the phenomenological approach is to clarify the specific, to identify

phenomena through how they are perceived by the actors in a situation. In the human

sphere this normally translates into gathering deep information and perceptions through

inductive, qualitative methods such as interviews, discussions and participant observation,

and representing it from the perspective of the research participant(s). Phenomenology is

concerned with the study of experience from the perspective of the individual

6. Descriptive Research Most common form of research, commonly used in exploratory

studies

Providing background information

Describe social events

This research is the most commonly used and the basic reason

for carrying out descriptive research is to identify the cause of

something that is happening. For instance, this research could

be used in order to find out what age group is buying aparticular brand of cola, whether a companys market share

differs between geographical regions or to discover how many

competitors a company has in their marketplace. However, if

the research is to return useful results, whoever is conducting

the research must comply with strict research requirements in

order to obtain the most accurate figures/results possible.

7. Classification Research Classify groups, immigrants groups, women, age, income,

construction workers, Sex Workers

8. Comparative Research


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Compare two samples, Comparison between Pakistani and

American women, cultures, comparison of Chinese and

Pakistani married couples etc

9. Exploratory Research

When limited information is available about subject Use of library research,

Qualitative research usually based on this type of research

10. Explanatory Research Explain social relation,

Testing Theory,

Greater media exposure leads to greater media influence

11. Theory Testing Research Theory Validity testing

Frustration leads aggression

Female are more planned buyer than male

12. Action Research

Action research is simply a form of self-reflective enquiry undertaken by participants in

social situations in order to improve the rationality and justice of their own practices,their understanding of these practices, and the situations in which the practices are

carried out.

Carr and Kemmis, 1986

The applications of facts findings to practical problem solvingin a social situation

Community Practice

Researchers used more than one type of methods to prove their

hypothesis

Combination approach usually effective and provide more accurate

results.

Comparison

Exploratory Research


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-Become familiar with the basic facts

-Create a general mental picture of conditions

-Formulate and focus question for future researchGenerate new Ideas

-Determine the feasibility of research

-Develop the technique of measuring data

Descriptive Research

-provide a detail and highly accurate picture

-locate new data contradict past data

-Create set of categories and or classify types

-classify sequence of stages-Document a casual process or mechanism

-Report on the background or context of a situation

Explanatory Research

-Test a theoryprediction or principle

-Elaborate and enrich a theorys exploitation

-Extend a theory to new issues or topics-Support or refute an explanation or perdition

-Link issues or topics with a general principle

-determine which of the several explanations is best

1-What is Social Research

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