Module Outline: Social Science Research Methods
Introduction & Module Summary
Social science research methods form the cornerstone of systematic inquiry into human behaviour,
social structures, and cultural dynamics. They provide scholars with the conceptual and practical tools
to critically investigate complex social issues, generate reliable evidence, and inform both theory and
practice. This module introduces students to the philosophical foundations of research, engaging with
key epistemological and ontological debates that underpin methodological choices. It explores
dominant research paradigms such as positivism, social constructivism, and pragmatism, while
highlighting how these perspectives shape the adoption of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method
approaches. Through a structured engagement with research designs, sampling strategies, and data
collection and analysis techniques, students will develop the capacity to select and apply appropriate
methods to diverse research questions. In addition, the module emphasizes essential components of
the research process such as conducting literature reviews, adhering to ethical principles, and writing
coherent research reports. By the end of the module, students will not only have a solid grounding in
the theoretical and practical aspects of social science research, but also the ability to critically assess
existing studies and design their own projects in a rigorous and ethically responsible manner.
Module Aims & Objectives
Aims
To introduce students to the foundational principles and debates in social science research.
To build understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of research including
epistemology and ontology.
To develop knowledge of major research paradigms and their implications for research
practice.
To equip students with competencies in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods
approaches.
To enable students to design, conduct, and analyse research studies with academic rigor.
To foster critical appreciation of ethical standards in social research.
To cultivate academic writing and reporting skills for effective dissemination of research
findings.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, students should be able to:
Explain and critically evaluate key concepts such as epistemology, ontology, and research
paradigms.
Differentiate among positivist, constructivist, and pragmatic approaches to research.
Select and justify appropriate research approaches and designs for various research questions.
Apply appropriate sampling strategies, data collection tools, and analysis techniques.
Conduct a structured and critical literature review.
Prepare a coherent and methodologically sound research report.
Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues in research and apply ethical principles in practice.
Methods of Assessment
The module will be assessed through a combination of examination and coursework:
Final Examination (50%): A summative assessment testing theoretical understanding of
research philosophies, approaches, methods, and ethics.
Coursework (50%): Consisting of assignments and in-class tests such as:
- Short reflective essays on epistemological and ontological issues.
- A mini research design proposal.
- A structured literature review exercise.
- In-class quizzes and applied exercises on methodological concepts.
Core Topics
Introduction to Social Science Research Methods
Definition and purpose of social science research
Scientific inquiry vs interpretive inquiry
The research process and its stages
Epistemological & Ontological Issues
Ontology: the nature of reality
Epistemology: the nature of knowledge
Relationship with methodology and methods
Research Philosophies
Positivism: objectivity and measurement
Social Constructivism: meaning-making and interpretation
Pragmatism: practical problem-solving and flexibility
Research Approaches
Qualitative research
Quantitative research
Mixed-methods research
Research Designs
Qualitative: case study, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory
Quantitative: survey, experiment, correlational, cross-sectional, longitudinal
Mixed Methods: convergent parallel, explanatory sequential, exploratory sequential
Sampling
Probability sampling: simple random, stratified, cluster
Non-probability sampling: purposive, snowball, convenience
Concept of saturation in qualitative research
Data Collection Techniques
Qualitative: interviews, focus groups, observations, content analysis
Quantitative: surveys, questionnaires, experiments
Mixed Methods: integration of qualitative and quantitative tools
Data Analysis Techniques
Qualitative: thematic analysis, coding, narrative analysis
Quantitative: descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, regression
Mixed Methods: data integration and joint displays
Developing a Research Report
Structuring reports: title, abstract, introduction, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion
Ensuring coherence between philosophy, design, and findings
Literature Review
Purpose of a literature review
Strategies for sourcing scholarly material
Synthesising and critiquing existing knowledge
Ethical Considerations in Research
Informed consent, confidentiality, anonymity
Minimising harm and ensuring data protection
Reflexivity and researcher positionality
Reading List
Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices.
Open Textbook. University of Minnesota. Available at:
[Link]
methods-and-practices
Pretorius, L. (2024). Demystifying Research Paradigms: Navigating Ontology,
Epistemology, and Axiology in Research. The Qualitative Report, 29(10). Available at:
[Link]
Al-Ababneh, M. M. (2020). Linking Ontology, Epistemology and Research
Methodology. ResearchGate (Open Access). Available at:
[Link]
and_Research_Methodology
Alamri, S. A. (2021). An Overview: Epistemological Foundations of the Qualitative and
Quantitative Research Approaches. International Journal of Research in Medical
Sciences, 9(3). DOI:10.18231/[Link].2021.027
Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Open Access Journal). Available at:
[Link]
International Journal of Qualitative Methods (Open Access Journal). Available at:
[Link]
Survey Research Methods (Open Access Journal). Available at: [Link]
[Link]/srm/
SSOAR – Social Science Open Access Repository. Available at: [Link]