Research methods in social sciences : An Overview

The presentation provides an overview of research methods in social sciences.

1. Research Methods in Social Sciences An Introduction by K Rajasekharan Advocate , Thrissur Bar Email : [email protected]

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

3. Research Cycle

4. Scientific Methods

5. Scientific Methods 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. Scientific Methods 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. Approaches in Social 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. Steps in Scientific Methods Systematic step by step procedure – Observation, Hypothesis, Definition, Gathering of data, Analysis of data, Conclusion

9. Scientific Attitude 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. Correlation Vs Causation Correlation can be confused with causation Eg : No of fire engine and damage at a fire site Eg : Divorce increase and crime increase have correlation but no causation One can observe correlation but not cause. So infer cause which is fallible. Avoid infallible inferences X causes y if x produces y If x is present y will infallibly happen But ensure particular condition : Pure water boils at 100 degree at sea level only

14. Types of 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

15. Types of Research … 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

16. Types of Research … 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

17. What a Research Design is 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

18. Research Design : 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

19. Research Design : 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

20. Research Design : 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

21. Research Design : 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

22. Method of Collection of 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

23. Tools for Data 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 sched ule Schedule for Institutions : Used for survey of organizations

24. Research Report Format

25. The Manner of Writing 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

26. 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

27. Report : Preliminary Pages Title Page Research declaration Certificate of Supervisor Acknowledgement Table of Contents List of Tables List of Diagrams Abstract

28. Report : Body of the 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

29. Report : Research Design Methodology of data collection Sources of Data Data Collection tools Data details Limitation of the study

30. Report : Terminal Parts Results : Findings & Discussions Conclusion & Recommendations Bibliography Appendix Copies of data collection instruments Technical details of sampling Complex tables Glossary

31. Style Manuals to be Followed Gibaldi, Joseph. MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing . 2 nd ed. New York: Modern Language Association of America, 1998. The Chicago Manual of Style . 15 th ed . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. Council of Biology Editors. Scientific Style and Format: The CBE Manual for Authors, Editors, and Publishers . 6 th ed. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1994.

32. What the Examiner will look into The importance of the study Soundness of the methodology Quality of Analysis Significance of the findings Format and style of presentation

33. Other Relevant Matters

34. Life Skills a Researcher Needs to Develop Reading : Books, news paper, magazines, manuals etc Listening : to friends, radio, television Watching : watch children, friends, social issues, tv Choosing : choose deliberately Questioning : Question the information we receive Summarizing : summarize information. Organize it Writing : to convey your mind to another mind

35. Ways of Reading : A Researcher Needs to Know Skimming – reading contents, headings, introduction & conclusion Scanning - rapid search for some information Reading to understand – detailed study of a chapter Word by word reading – reading every word carefully Reading for pleasure – reading to relax & enjoy

36. Concept Mapping : A tool for Integrating Research Concepts

37. A Good Book on Research Methods Source : http://jws.himpub.com/himalaya/jsp/bookDetail.jsp?bookID=1514

38. Thank You