RESEARCH METHOD IN THE
SOCIAL SCIENCES
(Lecture One)
By
J. O. Adelusi, PhD
What is Research?
Research may be broadly defined as systematic gathering
of data and information and its analysis for advancement
of knowledge in any subject.
Research attempts to find answer to intellectual and
practical questions through application of systematic
methods.
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines research as :
"studious inquiry or examination; esp: investigation or
experimentation aimed at the discovery and
interpretation of facts, revision of accepted theories or
laws in the light of new facts, or practical application of
such new or revised theories or laws".
What is Research?
According to Clifford Woody research comprises
◦ defining and redefining problems,
◦ formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions;
◦ collecting, organizing and evaluating data;
◦ making deductions and reaching conclusions; and
◦ at last carefully testing the conclusions to determine
whether they fit the formulating hypothesis.
What is Research?
[Link] and M. Stephenson in the Encyclopedia of
Social Sciences define research as:
◦ “the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for
the purpose:
◦ of generalizing
◦ to extend, correct or verify knowledge,
◦ whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory
or in the practice of an art.”
What is Research?
Research is, therefore, is an original contribution to the
existing stock of knowledge making for its advancement.
It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study,
observation, comparison and experiment.
In short, the search for knowledge through objective and
systematic method of finding solution to a problem is
research.
The systematic approach concerning generalization and
the formulation of a theory is also research.
What is Research?
In summary, the term ‘research’ refers to the:
systematic method consisting of :
◦ enunciating the problem,
◦ formulating a hypothesis,
◦ collecting the facts or data,
◦ analyzing the facts, and
◦ reaching certain conclusions,
◦ either in the form of solutions(s) towards the concerned
problem,
◦ or in certain generalizations for some theoretical
formulation
Nature & Characteristics of Social Science
Research
1).Social research deals with the social phenomena.
It studies behaviour of human beings-as members of
society, and their feeling, responses, attitudes under
different circumstances.
2) Social research is carried on both for discovering new
facts, and verification of the old ones
Firstly, there may be an improvement in the technique of
research and it is necessary to test the old concepts by this
improved technique.
Secondly, the phenomena under study might have
undergone a change and it may be required to test the
validity of old concepts in the changed circumstances.
In Social sciences a lot of research is being carried on for
both purposes and has resulted in the discovery of new
facts as well as modification of old concepts.
Nature & Characteristics of Social Science Research
3.) Social research tries to establish causal connection
between various human activities.
It is really very interesting to note whether various
complex human activities are being performed only at
random without any sequence, law, or system behind
them.
A close and patient study of different cases, their
scientific analysis and comparison , and logical
interpretation is bound to disclose the truth:
◦ that most of them are not merely haphazard - as they
appear but motivated by definite rules, perfect
system , and universal laws.
The main purpose of social research is therefore, to
discover these laws, so that they may be used in the
guided growth of human society
Objectives of Social Research
The general objectives of social science research may be
classified into two parts - academic, and utilitarian
objectives.
Theacademic purpose of social research, as of any other
research is the acquisition of knowledge
The other purpose of social research is utilitarian in nature
- to understand social life and thereby gain a greater
measure of control over social behaviour.
The main objective of research in both academic and
utilitarian is to find out the truth which is hidden and
which has not been discovered as yet research studies
Objectives of Social Research
For specific objectives:
We main think of research objectives as falling into a
number of following broad groupings:
1 To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve
new insights into it (studies with this object in view are
termed as exploratory or formulative
2. To portray accurately the characteristics of a particular
individual, situation or a group(studies with this object in
view are known as descriptive research studies);
3. To determine the frequency with which something occurs
or with which it is associated with something else
(studies with this object in view are known as diagnostic
research studies);
4. To test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between
variables (such studies are known as hypothesis-testing
research studies).
Basic Assumptions of Social Research
1. Existence of cause and effect relationship
That there exists cause and effect relationship between
various social activities.
These causes always produce similar results.
If these causes are known they can be used effectively
in checking the evils resulting from them.
2. Existence of sequence or law in social activities
that various social activities do not occur in a haphazard
way
There is some system behind them.
If this trend or system is located, it is possible to predict
the future course of social phenomena.
Basic Assumptions of Social Research
3. Possibility of detached study.
Although man is a part of the society which he is
investigating, yet it is possible for him to study it apart
from himself.
His own feeling and emotions would not be reflected in
the study.
4. Existence of ideal types
In society every one is not entirely different form each
other.
People may be grouped into fairly homogeneous classes
known as ‘ideal type’.
The deduction drawn from the study of the group may be
made applicable to the whole type, wherever it may exist
Basic Assumptions of Social Research
5. Possibility of a representative sample
It is generally assumed that a sample, representative of the
group may be drawn,
and the deduction from the study of the sample may be
made applicable to the whole group.
Thank you