UNIT 7:SOCIAL

SCIENCE RESEARCH
METHOD
CONTENTS
Basics of sociological investigation
Three ways of doing Sociology ( positivist, interpretative and
critical)
Methods of sociological inquiry
Sociological research: processes and procedures
Research ethics
Problem-solving sociology
 SOCIAL
INVESTIGATION/SOCIAL
carriedRESEARCH
Research is an academic engagement to reveal the truth hidden in society. It is
out to explore the root causes of the problems that help in curing for
sustainable solutions. It is carried out through systematized efforts. Researcher
does explore the social realities or hidden facts by deploying appropriate tools and
techniques. In order to familiarize with social problems as the social issues or
problems sociological research is carried out.
In order to get masters degree students do conduct the small scale research for his
partial fulfillment M.Phil and PhD degree research scholars do conduct something
academic research and dig out new social reality through academic scholarship.
Researcher enters into research areas and selects the topic which is researchable.
His own empirical context and reviewed literature helps him to select the research
issue. People, program, problems and phenomena(p4) are supportive wings for
selecting the research topic.
P.V Defines "Social research is the systematic methods of discovering the
new fact or verifying the old facts, their consequences,inter relationship,
casual explanation and the natural laws which govern them.”
ES Bogardus defines "Social research is the investigation of underline
process operated in the lives of person who are in association". It is a
careful and critical inquiry in seeking facts in order to formulate the
theories or principles and to cure the problems accordingly. The main
mission of the research is to explore the existing truth.
It is always directed towards the finding the new truth and seeks
the solution of the problems.
It is always systematic, objective oriented, controlled and logically
guided.
It aims to dig out the truth or social reality.
It is critical inquiry of any particular issues that exist in society.
 It is conducted to define and redefine the problems.
Researcher reveals the new realities to theorize the knowledge .
Research is supported by primary facts or cooked data.
MAJOR STEPS OF SOCIAL
RESEARCH
1.Statement of the problem/Selecting the topic or identification of the problem
2.Significance or rationale of Research
3.Formulating Research Questions
4.Objective of the research.
5.Limitations of the research.
6.Extensive literature surveys(literature review)
7.Theoritical position of the research.
8.Conceptual framework
9.Research methodology
10.Data processing and classification.
11.Data interpretation and analysis
12.Summary,conclusion and generalization
References/Bibliography
1.Statement of the Problem/Selecting the topic or Identification of the
problem
This is the first step of Social research. While selecting the topic researcher should be aware
of the recent trends of the research processes. He can review the concerned literature from
research journals, research articles, conference papers, seminar
papers,dissertations,thesis,academic books, government reports and non government records
as well. His identifies problem should be genuine,sensitive,original,beneficial,interesting
and researchable. People,program,problem and phenomena(p4)can also help him for
selecting the genuine issue.
2.Significance or rationale of Research
This is the second step of the social research. After selecting the topic researcher should say
the importance, its originality and new way of viewing the issue through different theoretical
perspective.
3.Formulating Research Questions
People, problems, programs and phenomenon can be the best source for formulating
research questions. By finding the previous research gap and a problem lies in the issues
helps him to formulate the specific research questions. His own social context and the given
source can be the helpful criteria for crafting genuine research questions.
4.Objective of the research:
Researcher should state the general and specific objectives in his selected topic. He
has to clearly mention what he is going to examine in his research problem.
5.Limitations of the research:
Researcher can mention his limitations in his research. There might be the limitation in
research methodology, in theoretical perspective and empirical limitations while doing the
qualitative research. Timing, budgeting, experience can also be the other limitations for
research.
6.Extensive literature surveys(literature review):
Researcher can review through research journals, research articles, research based
books, dissertation, thesis, seminar papers, government reports, websites etc. It should be
critical evaluation of the previous writing that is relevant to what are you doing. It helps to
widen his knowledge at one hand and creating his position by finding the previous research gap
to the other. Literature review is very important task in sociological research. In order to find
out the research trends, research gaps, similarities and dissimilarities of his research issue
literature review is carried out.
7.Theoritical position of the research:
Researcher can select anyone of the theoretical lens which is relevant and appropriate to him in accordance with the
nature of issue. Different theories like suicide theory, trauma theory, theory of cultural alienation, theory of depressions
etc. can be use by researcher.
8.Conceptual framework:
It is an academic enterprise where researcher can develop his operational framework. e.g Suicide case arises due to
lack of social integration, frustation, by economic crisis, love tragedy, loosing social respect and honor from the
society etc.
9.Research methodology:
It is the most important aspect of social research. Researcher can select appropriate and adequate tools and techniques
in order to generate the primary data from the universe. Under this process the following steps should be carried out in
order to meet his specified objectives.
a. Sampling size, types and process
b. Selection of key informants, determining appropriate tools and techniques
c. Research design
10.Data processing and classification:
After the data collection is over and then researcher returns back to his central office. Under
this data processing, the unnecessary and raw data are omitted and cooked data are put in
sequential order in order to interpret and analyze the revealed data scientifically. Under this
process he can follow the steps like editing,coding,classification,categorization and others.
11.Data interpretation and analysis:
Under this process researcher can interpret the data by creating graphs, bar
graphs,circles,pie-charts,diagram and Venn diagram in order to interpret his numerical data.
He can display and interpret data with facts and figures.
12.Summary,conclusion and generalization:
This is the final steps of research process. After the interpretation and analysis of data is
over researcher comes to the final stage where he can precisely summarize his overall
research work. His summary must be grounded on research questions and the gist of the
research findings. His conclusion must be supported by research questions and revealed
facts.
 BASIC CONCEPTS OR LANGUAGE OF RESEARCH
Concept:
Concept is a word or property that communicates the
precise meaning of the phenomena. It is inductively derived that
provides concrete meaning of the issues.For instance ,the words
like poverty,suicide,divorce,conflict,gender ,evolution and
diffusion are some illustrations of concept.
P.V young define”A concept is in reality or definition in
shorthand of a class or group of
facts,aggression,frustration,attitude,personality,anxiety is all
illustration of concept into which are condensed a number of
events or phenomena under one heading”.Transparent concepts
are very useful in theory building process.
Concept are precise and concrete in meaning.
It conveys the exact picture of the phenomena.
They are inductively derived jargons.
Concept are defined and redefined according to the contexts and
situations.
They are developed and constructed through academic
enterprises.
A concept can cover the larger ranges of knowledge by
encompassing its overall dimensions.
 VARIABLE
Variable is a word or property that takes different values. It is a symbol
to which value are assigned. It is a symbol to which value are assigned.
It is the world that has the close connection to the rest of the enables
that create effect or consequence.
In sociological research we show the relationship between among the
variables. Dependent and independent variable do work to each other to
create particular problem.
•They are the words or properties that take different values.
•We measure the relationship between cause and effect.
•It is helpful in measuring social indicators.
 HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction. It describe in concrete
terms what expect will happen in a certain circumstance. Good
hypothesis is more than facts: it is an educated opinion about subject .
It is an academic guess. They are intellectual guess which remains to
be tested.
Explain what you expect to happen.
Be clear and understandable.
It is academic guess or an intellectual guesses.
Be measureable in your hypothesis.
It is conjectural statement before conducting research .
Often it is used in deductive type research.
 RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY
Reliability means consistency, accuracy, repeatability, trustworthiness and
credibility in research findings. In order to make our research finding reliable we
need to deploy scientific research procedures, tools and techniques, theoretically
informed critical gaze supported by facts with persuasive interpretation.
F.N Kerlinger defines “Reliability is an accuracy or precision of a measuring
instrument.” In order to make our research finding more trustworthy we should
have cooked rich data with persuasive interpretation.
In order to make the findings more reliable, scholars have developed a couple of
criteria which are used by the experts . They are:
1. Test –Retests method
2. Split-half method
3. Multiple-form method
Validity is measuring instrument to measure the higher reliability of scale of
measurement. It becomes valid when it actually measures what it claims to measure.
In order to measure the validity of the research researcher should measure the
contents, tools, and techniques whether they are used adequately and appropriately
or not.
Jahoda defines” The validity of measuring instrument is defined as a property of
measure that allows the researcher to say that the instrument measures what he says
it measures. When there is a higher reliability in research findings then there is more
room to become valid. It is a higher scale of measuring instrument that measures the
accuracy of the research.
In order to measure the validity or trustworthiness of the research findings scholars
have developed a set of criteria in order to make the research finding more credible
and valid. They are:
1. Content validity
2. Pragmatic validation
3. Predictive validation
4. Jury opinion
 BASIC OF SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH METHODS
1. Inductive Methods
(Research Process from particular cases to Universal Generalization)
2. Deductive Methods
(Process from Universal principle to Particular Cases)
 THREE WAYS OF DOING SOCIOLOGY
1. Positivism
2. Interpretive Theory
3. Critical Approach
FIVE KEY CONCEPTS TO BE
CONSIDERED WHILE UTILIZING
CRITICAL APPROACH IN ORGANIZATION
1. Power
2. Ideology
3. Hegemony
4. Emancipation
5. Resistance
 METHODS OF
SOCIOLOGICAL
1. INQUIRY
Interview
2. Questionnaire
3. Focused Group Discussion Method
4. Observation
5. Social Survey
6. Content Analysis
7. Case Study/Life History
INTERVIEW
Interview is one of the most important tools of data collection .It is
face to face conversation which helps to reveal the exact data.
Interviewer initiates interview with interviewee on specified
contents as a formal conversation for gathering information.
Kerlinger defines that "The interview is a face to face interpersonal
role, situation in which one person the interviewer ask a question
interview with respondent, questions are designed to obtain the
answer pertinent to research problem. "In order to get details
description of issue researcher should be good psychologist,
diplomat and honest towards his own research work.
Baker defines that “Interview is a piece of social interaction with
one person asking another a number of questions and the other
person giving answer." It is a research method involves the
collection of data through direct verbal interaction.
MAJOR TYPES OF
INTERVIEWS
1. Open-Ended Interview(Qualitative interview)
2. Close-Ended interview(Quantitative interview)
3. Key-informant interview
4. Structured interview
5. Unstructured interview
6. Single//Group –Contact interview
7. Short Contact/Prolonged Contact interview
8. Quantitative /qualitative/Mixed interview
THE MAIN TASK OF
INTERVIEWER ARE:
He should protect the respondents ego.
He should evaluate whether his informant is providing correct data
or not.
There should be no repetition in question.
He should acknowledge and appreciate the efforts put forwarded
by interviewee.
Very simple question are asked in obtaining the answers of the
research questions.
He should win the trust of his informants.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Questionnaire is a set of question to be ask to the respondents.
Question should be very specific, precise and concrete.Unnessesary
repetition, complexity question must be omitted. While drafting the
questions researcher should have the depth knowledge on the
contents and ground level reality of the informants to whom he is
going to ask to his research question.Reseracher drafts the question
in a systematic manner and distribute to his informants which is
filled up by the respondents themselves hence it is non verbal.
Goode and Hatt says that “In general the word questionnaire refers
to the device for securing answer to question by using a form which
the respondent fills by himself. "It is the list of question sent to the
number of version for them to answer.
GOOD QUALITIES OF
QUESTIONNAIRE
Questions should be simple, precise and understandable.
It should be designed within the premises of specific research
question and objectives.
Very direct, unnecessary and confidential questions must not be
asked.
It is non verbal in character.
It aims to reveal the facts indirectly.
Ambiguity and repetition must be avoided.
Cultural aspects should be considered while drafting the questions.
MAJOR TYPES OF
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Open –ended question
2. Close –ended question
3. Multiple –Choice question
4. Pictorial questionnaire
5. Structured/Non structured questions
SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH :PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES
Proposal Writing
Proposal writing is an art where researcher can write any issue according to his own interest by
following certain outlines. He has to prepare the proposal and submit it to the concerned authority
for acceptance. It is the first stage of research process. In practice ,it is prepared in future tense.
The major Outlines of Proposal Writing
1. Introduction/Statement of the Problem
2. Significance /Rationale of the research
3. Formulating the research Question
4. Formulating the specific objectives
5. Limitation of the research
6. Extensive literature Survey/Literature Review
7. Theoretical position and conceptual framework
8. Research Methodologies
9. Data processing, Interpretation and Analysis
Bibliography/References
 PREPARING RESEARCH
DESIGN
Research Design is the overall plan ,strategy and entire picture of the
research process. It is the concrete answer of WH questions mediated
through what, why, how ,when along with its timing, budgeting,
manpower, stationary goods and services. It is a blue print or overall
guideline of the entire research project.
What?-Research issue
Why?-Research objective
How?-Research Methodology
Where?-Universe of the Research site
When?-Suitable timing
Miscellaneous-Goods and services like timings and budgeting
F.N kerlinger defines that “Research design is the plan, structure and strategy of investigation,
conceived so as to obtain answer to research question and to control variables.”
P.V Young defines "Research design is the logical planning and directing of a piece of
research". It is the assignment of condition for collection and analysis of data in a manner
that aims to combine the relevance of research question and other necessary goods and
service.
P.V Young has projected some basic components of research design.
They are:
Sources of information tapped
Nature of study
Objectives of the study
Socio-cultural context of the study
Geographical areas to be covered by the study
Period of time to be encompassed
Dimension of the study
The bases for selection of data
MAJOR TYPES OF RESEARCH DESIGN
1. Exploratory Research Design
2. Descriptive Research Design
3. Explanatory Research Design
4. Experimental Research Design
5. Time dimension Research Design
6. Longitudinal Research Design
7. Cross section Research Design
SAMPLING
Sampling is the smaller representation of the larger whole. It is short-cut
alternative to study all the items. Researcher takes some fraction of the
population to study the whole populations as representative.
Kerlinger sates that “Sampling is taken of any portion of a population or
universe as representative of that population or universe". A sample
design is a definite plan for obtaining a sample from a given population.
MAJOR TYPE OF SAMPLING
Probability Random Sampling
1. Simple Random Sampling
2. Regular-Marking Sampling
3. Irregular –Marking Sampling
4. Stratified Random Sampling
5. Multi-stage Sampling
Non- Probability Sampling
6. Purposive Sampling
7. Convenient Sampling
8. Quota sampling
9. Judgment Sampling
•Sampling must be representative.
•Moreover,40-60% of the population is selected for scientific
representation.
•These should not be any biasness and prejudices while selecting the
items.
•If one particular sampling does not function well then the next sampling
is applied.
•It saves time and budget.
•It is the scientific way of conducting research in social science.
•Sampling size must be adequate and appropriate.
•There should be provision of trial and error.
 FIELD WORK
Field work is a hallmark of sociological or anthropological research. It is a
compulsory criteria for researcher. Researcher should go to the field,
build rapport with community, determine the sampling procedures and
then apply the appropriate tools and techniques in generating the facts.
It helps to study "in and out” of people as a multi sited areas.
Goode and Hatt state that "Field work is the study of people and their
culture in their natural situation". It is the investigation of real life
situation through observation and informal discussions.
F.N Kerlinger is of opinion that "Field study is the scientific enquiry aimed
at discovering the relationship, interaction among sociological and
education variables in real social structures.”
 MAJOR PREPARATIONS OF
1. FIELD
Intellectual WORK
Preparation
2. Methodological preparations
3. Psychological Preparations
4. Physical Preparations
5. Preparation of miscellaneous items.
1.Intectual preparation: Under this intellectual preparation researcher selects the topic
formulates researcher questions and objectives, does the concerned literature review
part and prepares the conceptual framework. It is an important task of the researcher
to become mentally prepared for the academic work. He should have sound
knowledge regarding the research problem that he is raising for the investigation.
2.Methodological preparation: Simply understanding ,methodology means the set of
methods , tool and techniques applied in an adequate and appropriate way in
generating the facts and figures . His research questions and objectives automatically
selects the tools and techniques in the universe.
3.Psychological preparation: Under this process, researcher should mentally be
prepared in order to face the challenges and difficulties that may come during the
research journey. Honesty, professionalism, research ethics and art of speaking make
him to becomes psychologically prepared.
4.Physical Prepartion:Under physical preparation researcher can estimate the
budget,timing,electronic gadgets,stationary items,medicine,lodging and fooding
destination along with necessary electronic devices.
5.Preparation of miscellaneous items:Personal necessary items and other necessary
project based required goods and services are managed before going into the universe.
 HENCE, FIELD WORK
ENABLES
To study people by directly involving with them.
To gain and understand the social world.
To know the overall aspects of society and their real life situation.
It is the universe where you can test and retest your hypothesis.
Field work is our testing laboratory where we can test and measure the
variables.
 REPORT WRITING
It is an oral and written presentation of entire research. It is the final stage of
research project. It is written in past tense. In academic research researcher
prepares the report what he has found from the universe.
Major Outlines of Report writing
Part 1:Priliminary Part
Title page and the name of the researcher
Letter of Recommendation
Approval and Acceptance Letter
Declaration
Acknowledgement
Abstract of the research
Table of contents
List of tables
List of figures
Acronyms(abbreviations)
 PART 2:MAIN BODY OF THE TEXT
1. Introduction/Statement of the Problem
2. Significance /Rationale of the research
3. Formulating the research Question
4. Formulating the specific objectives
5. Limitation of the research
6. Extensive literature Survey/Literature Review
7. Deploying Theoretical position and Formulating conceptual framework
8. Research Methodologies
a.Sampling Design
b. Research Design
c. Selecting appropriate tools And techniques

9.Data Interpretation and Analysis

10.Summary Conclusion and Generalization
 RESEARCH ETHICS
Research ethics involves the application of fundamental ethical principles to
research activities which includes the design and implementation of research,
respect towards society and others, the use of resources and research outputs.
Ethics is very important in sociological research. Researcher should take the
permission from informants and from local people while entering into the
universe.
Berry man writes: Researcher should not harm the community members,
without harming them researcher should meet his objectives. If the situation
demands by minimum harming as well he has to reveal the truth which is
required for research purpose.
Research ethics are moral principles that guide researcher to conduct
and report research without deception or intension to harm the participants of
the study or members of the society as a whole, whether knowingly or
unknowingly.
PROBLEM SOLVING SOCIOLOGY
Problem solving sociology provides tools for how to conduct research
and offers defenses against common objections and strategies around
some difficulties by giving broader understanding of the field of
sociological practice. Problem solving sociology is a branch of
knowledge developed as social engineering or as applied sociology in
order to solve existing social problems with the sets of theoretical help.
Steps of Problem solving sociology:
Describing and Complaining rather than solving: It is the first stage of
entering into the problem.
Studying the victims vis-à-vis to villains: Studying the victims allows us
to understand the precise nature of the problems rooted in socio-cultural
structure, especially if there is limited prior research on this population
which becomes the crucial step for posing solutions.
Critiquing others solution rather than providing new solution: It is the
third stage for solutions. Scholars are opinion that sociologist have given
much less attention to corruption than economist and political scientists
and therefore the existing theories of corruption that drive corruption
interventions fall into a dynamic that is familiar to sociologist.