Conducting Research in the Social Sciences

(From: Individuals and Families: A Diverse Perspective (2010))

Social-science research methods are used to ask questions, gather information, to analyze the information and to draw conclusions.

Use the Social-Science Research Process

Use this systematic research method as utilized by other social scientists Clarify the topic of study by asking

questions to determine the importance of the topic, define the terms and set the limits of the topic.

Identify the specific research question to be investigated so that the study has a purpose.

Review available literature on the topic to find out what information is already known. Use secondary sources, as they analyze research and provide evidence.

Summarize the literature review. This leads to a thesis that answers your question

Formulate a Research Question A research question establishes the

purpose of the research. In family studies, good question

indicates the relationship between a topic and individuals and/or families.

Preliminary research will indicate whether a topic is relevant enough to have sufficient sources of information and will help clarify which aspect of a topic to investigate.

Two basic types of questions asked in the social sciences: Description questions

Require observations of what happens Explanation questions

Require analyses to determine how and why things happen

Design an Original Investigation When a review of secondary sources do not result in an

answer to your question continue your research by: Providing a hypothesis, and designing an

investigation to gather additional evidence These investigations are called primary sources

because these provide first-hand information. Form conclusions that indicate whether the

hypothesis is true and whether your question has been answered.

Develop a Hypothesis A hypothesis is a possible answer to your

research question. It is a theory for which evidence is needed.

It is developed after the review of the literature.

A hypothesis presumes the relationship between two or more variables: Other things being equal if A, then B.

If variable A goes up or down, then B goes up or down with it.

A is the independent variable because it happens first and B is the dependent variable because it depends on A. A is the cause and B is the effect.

E.g.: When studying ‘emerging adulthood’ You could ask, “What factors influence an

individual’s decision about when to leave home?”

If literature review suggests that the decision is influenced by the make-up of an individual’s family, hypothesis could be: “Children of remarried parents leave home

earlier.”

Select a Research Method Hypothesis suggests the type of information gathered and how it

will be analyzed. Two types of research methods:

Quantitative methods Information gathered from many people which can be analyzed to

describe, explain and predict patterns of behaviors for groups Analyzed using stats to generalize from the behavior of the sample

group Qualitative methods

Gathers detailed information from individuals to help understand behaviour.

Assumes that each subject might behave differently and does not usually predict how others will behave.

Analyzed to determine the reasons for the subjects’ behaviour. Consider several factors when choosing research method.

Theoretical perspective of hypothesis Choose methods that other researchers have used Practical considerations like access to the population you want to study

Define a Sample Group A sample group is the population who will be the subjects of your

research Define your population so that you eliminate other factors that could

confuse the effects of the independent variable. There are two limits when selecting your sample group

Sample group must be representative of the population you want to study. E.g.: If you want to study students at your school and 55

percent are girls, then 55 percent of your sample must be girls. Cannot generalize beyond the group from which you draw your

sample. E.g.: If your sample is within your school, you cannot generalize to the

rest of Canada

Writing Research Papers Two major types of research papers.

Essays that are written to support a thesis. Often done when the secondary research is

finished. Answer to the research question is stated as a

thesis. Reports that summarize and present the results

of an original investigation of a hypothesis. Review, development of thesis, the method,

and the results are described. Results are analyzed to determine whether

evidence supports the hypothesis.