Researchmethodsinsocialsciences
- 2. What is Research? • Search for an answer to a question /solution to a problem • to extend knowledge, unravel mysteries, build theories • To verify & test facts, predict events & derive causal explanations • To solve problems & achieve national development • Based on scientific method
- 5. ScientificMethods • Systematic step by step procedure to seek facts / theories • Relies on evidence • Use concepts • Keeps objectivity • Follows ethical neutrality • Formulate generalization • Ensures verifiability • uses logical reasoning
- 6. ScientificMethods • Systematic step by step procedure to seek facts or theories • Relies on evidence • Use concepts • Keeps objectivity • Follows ethical neutrality • Formulate generalization • Ensures verifiability • uses logical reasoning
- 7. ApproachesinSocial Research • Positivism : to establish the scientific laws of society –the causal relationship – which are arrived by testing hypothesis as in science • Intrepretivism : to build an understanding of the motives and intentions that underpin social behaviour • Critical Social Research : to ask critical questions with a view to changing society or to transform unequal power relationship
- 8. StepsinScientific Methods • Systematic step by step procedure – • Observation, • Hypothesis, • Definition, • Gathering of data, • Analysis of data, • Conclusion
- 9. ScientificAttitude • Consistent thinking • Objective, dispassionate & unbiased • Avoid personal preconceptions • Ardent curiosity • Ability to rise from failure, patience and self control • Keeping open mind
- 10. Hypothesis • A tentative proposition as to possible answers to a question • Guides the direction, suggests type of research • Descriptive hypothesis - Public enterprises are amenable for centralized planning • Rational hypothesis – Higher income families spent more on recreation • Null hypothesis – denying what are indicated • Statistical hypothesis– Group A is older than group B
- 11. Inductive Reasoning • Studying several individual cases and drawing a generalization • Used when facts are studied, truths are un-covered • Induction involves observation and generalization • Eg a few experimental farms are studied and conclusion arrived
- 12. Deductive Reasoning • Applying a general principle to a specific case – All apples are fruits ( Major premises) – All fruits grow on trees ( Minor premise) – Therefore all apples grow on trees(conclusion) • False premise can lead to fake results – All sincere employees are sincere – Mohan is a regular employee – Hence Mohan is sincere • Establishes a logical relationship
- 13. Typesof Research • Pure Research : Basic, fundamental • Applied Research: Solution to a real life problem • Exploratory Research : Preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem • Diagnostic Study : Discovering what and why of happening • Descriptive Study : Fact finding investigation
- 14. TypesofResearch… Continued • Evaluation study: assess effectiveness • Action Research: Study to solve a problem • Experimental Research: assessing effect of a variable on a phenomenon • Analytical study: Analysis applied to data • Historical Research: Reconstructing origin & development • Survey Research : Fact finding
- 15. TypesofResearch… Continued • Case Study: study of a person, group r situation • Field Study: Community studies like survey • Quantitative Study: based on measurement of quantity or amount • Qualitative Research : concerned with qualitative phenomenon • Empirical Research: relies on experience or observation
- 16. What aResearchDesignis • Research Design is the structure of research • a "glue" that holds all the elements in a research project together • A systematic plan/outline/blue print • A series of guideposts to show direction • Without a plan research work will be unfocused, aimless & wandering • Research plan describes boundaries, help perceive problems
- 17. ResearchDesign:Content • Introduction : Historic perspective of the problem, the need for study& research interest in the study • Statement of the problem : Define research problem, point out its core nature & its importance • Review of literature: Describe earlier studies, point out the gaps& justify how the present study fill the gap • Scope of the study : The breadth, depth & area of the study. Demarcation of scope is to ensure manageability of study
- 18. ResearchDesign:Content • Objective of the study : These are the questions to which answers are sought. Limit to a reasonable number. Be precise. • Conceptual model : The logical connection of variable, the assumption and propositions used to develop the framework are explained here • Hypothesis : Refers to the anticipated outcome or possible solutions to the research questions • Definition of Concepts : Define concepts used in the title, its objectives, hypothesis etc
- 19. ResearchDesign:Content…Continued • Significance of study : Relevance & significance of the study. Value of the findings for policy making, solution of problems and other practical applications • Area covered : Territorial area to be covered • Period : • Methodology used Specify the type of design – experimental, descriptive, survey etc
- 20. ResearchDesign:Content…Continued • Sampling : Selection of sample for study • Tools for gathering data : Tools such as interview, schedule, questionnaire etc used for data collection • Plan of analysis : Specify statistical technique used • Chapter scheme : Outline the chapter scheme • Time & financial budget
- 21. MethodofCollectionof Data • Data are facts or other materials for analysis/making testing of hypothesis possible • Observation : Gathering data by viewing • Interviewing: Involves face to face conversation • Mail Survey : Getting Questionnaire completed • Experimentation : Involves study of independent variables • Sociometry: Graphic representation of social relationship • Simulation : Involves creation of an artificial situation similar to the actual situation
- 22. ToolsforData Collection • Tool is an instrument used for research • Schedule for Interview • Observation schedule : Form for recording observation • Interview guide : Suggestive Reference • Check List : A list pertinent to an object • Rating Scale : Measuring attitude • Opinionnaire : List of questions to an issue • Document schedule • Schedule for Institutions : Used for survey of organizations
- 24. The MannerofWriting the Report • Here is a problem • It is an interesting problem • It is an unsolved problem • Here is my idea • My idea works – details, data • Here’s how my idea compared to others approaches
- 25. Writing Reports • Keeps your eye on the reader • Position words in the right sequence • Use unliterary style • Avoid long sentences • Say one thing at a time • Get to point into sentence, paragraph or report • Short paragraphs improves readability
- 26. Report:Preliminary Pages • Title Page • Research declaration • Certificate of Supervisor • Acknowledgement • Table of Contents • List of Tables • List of Diagrams • Abstract
- 27. Report:Bodyofthe Report • Theoretical Background of the Problem • Statement of the Problem • Review of Literature • Scope of the study • Objective of the study • Hypotheses to be tested • Definition of concepts
- 28. Report:Research Design • Methodology of data collection • Sources of Data • Data Collection tools • Data details • Limitation of the study
- 29. Report:Terminal Parts • Results : Findings & Discussions • Conclusion & Recommendations • Bibliography • Appendix – Copies of data collection instruments – Technical details of sampling – Complex tables – Glossary