Chapter two 2 Lecture Research Sciences.ppt
- 1. LM 238 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY LECTURE NO. 2 RESEARCH SCIENCES
- 2. 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Research Methodology: It is a science of studying how research is done scientifically (Kothari 2000: 7- 8).
- 3. RESEARCH DESIGN Research Design In Social Science is a conceptual structure within which research is conducted. It constitutes a blue print for data collection, measurement and analysis of data. In other words; where the study will take place; what kind of data will be needed; where the required data will be found, what will be your sample design; what techniques you will use in data collection; how will your data be analyzed; what will be the style of the report, etc. This will therefore help to facilitate the process of understanding the research process so that it can yield the maximum information with minimum expenditure of effort, time and money (Kothari 2000 in: Rwegoshora 2006:83; Claire 1962: 50)
- 4. COMMON SENSE OBSERVATION Common Sense Observation (Not science) Common Sense: Based on practical observation, guess, experiences and wisdom on social life. However, may result from ignorance, prejudices and mistaken interpretations. Occasionally true, wise and useful knowledge Exampled statements Old people are wiser than young people Architecture is a more paying profession
- 5. WHAT IS SCIENCE? Science is the use of a systematic method of empirical investigation, the analysis of the data, theoretical thinking and logical assessment of arguments to develop a body of knowledge about a particular subject matter (Giddens,1977 in: Rwegoshora 2006:7).
- 6. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH Social science research deals with peoples’ needs, behaviour, perception, values, attitudes, etc. Exampled fields: architecture, sociology, anthropology, …
- 7. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PURE AND SOCIAL SCIENCES Natural sciences are studies of things in nature-botany, biology, etc. Social sciences are studies of human activities - sociology, anthropology, history, etc.
- 8. NATURAL (PURE) SCIENCE RESEARCH Natural Science research uses natural principles of biology, chemistry and physics. EXAMPLE: What are the properties of a local building material: compression strengths, moisture content, weather resistance, fire resistance, …
- 9. CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 1. Verifiable evidence 2. Accuracy 3. Precision 4. Systematisation 5. Objectivity (free from biases and vested interested) 6. Recording (jotting down details soonest. Don’t recall data). 7. Controlling conditions (controlling all variables except one, and examine what happens to the uncontrolled variable). 8. Training investigators (to avoid inaccurate data).
- 10. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURAL (PURE) AND SOCIAL SCIENCE The natural sciences thus focus on investigating the laws governing observable natural phenomena, while the social sciences focus on investigating the drivers of collective human behavior. Most of the other differences between these broad fields of systematic study derive from this difference in their primary focus.
- 11. LM 238 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY END OF LECTURE NO. 2 Thank You