Dimensions of Research

 Four dimensions:
 Use
 Purpose
 Time
 Data Collection
 Decisions points when moving through the
beginning of a research project
 Use of Research

 Social research is often considered to have 2

orientations: applied and basic (or pure)
 In reality, these orientations intertwine
 Most applied research contributes to our
understanding of the social world
 Most basic research is applicable to policy
situations
 Basic Research

 Focuses on refuting or supporting theories

about social life
 Source of most new ideas and theories
 Theory construction, in particular, can take
years of work
 Builds these ideas through cycles of
research, replication, and revision
 Basic Research

 Also produces most of the new methods in

the discipline
 Usually the testing ground for new methods
and instruments
 Typically complies strongly with the
scientific norms of organized skepticism and
disinterestedness
 Basic Research

 Mostly performed by academics

 Some basic research crosses disciplines
 Mostly consumed by academics
 A small percentage of this research reaches
the mass media and public
 Applied Research

 Conducted to address a specific concern or

develop and solution
 Usually sponsored by some agency or
organization
 Often specific to only one situation or
population
 Applied Research

 Because applied research is usually specific

to one situation, its use by others often leads
to misinterpretation
 It may also be heavily influenced by its
sponsors
 It may be controversial in its findings
 Applied Research

 Mostly performed by govt. officials, think

tanks, educational institutions, private
agencies, etc.
 Mostly consumed by practitioners like
lawyers, social workers, teachers, etc.
 Results may be used by several people
outside of the researcher
 Types of Applied Research

 Evaluation
 Evaluates a program—does it work?
 May be conducted internally or externally
 Can be hampered by ethical and political
concerns
 Much evaluation research is funded by the
government to evaluate its policy outcomes
 Types of Applied Research

 Action Research
 Research tied to social action and change
 Advance causes through public awareness
 Social Impact Assessment Research
 Estimates the consequences of a planned
program
 Usually commissioned by government agencies
 Purposes of Research

 Exploratory, Descriptive and Explanatory

 Typically only one dominant research
purpose
 Generally, the progress of a research areas
flows from exploratory to descriptive to
explanatory
 Exploratory Research

 For new or undiscovered topics

 Uncovers basic facts about the topic
 Formulates and focuses questions for later
studies
 Suggests directions and feasibility of future
research
 Usually focused on the “what,” not the “why”
 Exploratory Research

 May not have a specific research question

 Can be challenging because there are few
guidelines to follow and the goals may
change
 Frequently uses qualitative techniques to
develop initial data and ideas
 Makes use of creativity and serendipity
 Descriptive Research

 Presents a picture with specific details of the

situation or behavior
 Requires a focused research question/topic
 Often blurs with/follows exploratory research
 Focuses on “how” and “who” questions
 Is necessary for good explanatory research
 Explanatory Research

 Focuses on “why”, or the reason a situation

or behavior occurs
 Builds on exploratory and descriptive
research, and other explanatory research
 Uses theory
 Much of the research published in journals is
explanatory
 Time Dimensions

 Some research neglects the element of time,

other research focuses heavily on time
 Cross-Sectional
 Observations at a limited point in time
 Frequently used by social scientists
 Although it does not capture time, change, or
process, it is often used in explanatory research
 Longitudinal Research

 Much more expensive and time-consuming than

cross-sectional
 Time-series: multiple observations over time of the
several units
 Panel Study: multiple observations over time of the
same units
 Cohort Study: multiple observations over time of
similar units
 Case Studies

 Investigates only a few cases but in depth

 Data is more varied, detailed and extensive
 Two common approaches:
 2 cases with similar outcomes but different paths
 2 cases with different outcomes but similar paths
 May be cross-sectional or longitudinal,
exploratory, descriptive or explanatory
 Quantitative vs. Qualitative

 Quantitative: data that can be expressed

numerically
 Qualitative: data typically in the form of
words or pictures
 Most research topics can be studied both
quantitatively or qualitatively
 However, most research questions are best
suited to one or the other
 Quantitative vs. Qualitative

 Qualitative Research Questions:

 What motivates people to participate in STIC?
 Why are some people and countries more
ignorant of STIC?
 Quantitative Research Questions:
 Does marital status affect STIC participation?
 Is STIC knowledge greater in highly educated
persons/countries?
 Quantitative vs. Qualitative

 Quantitative is somewhat more common in

sociology overall
 Qualitative is more common is some fields,
such as the sociology of gender or emotions
 Most research projects could benefit from
both approaches
 Which Type Do You Do?

 The process of focusing your research

question often helps you determine the use,
purpose and structure of your study
 Other elements like time availability,
resources and skills must also be considered
 There is usually not one right way to study
anything
 Chapter Summary

 Use:
 Basic: produces new knowledge
 Applied: produces answers and solutions
 Purpose:
 Exploratory: uncover new elements\relationships
 Descriptive: detailed picture
 Explanatory: examines causal relationships
 Chapter Summary

 Time
 Cross-Sectional: observations at one time point

 Longitudinal: observations across time points

 Design
 Qualitative: open questions and verbal data

 Quantitative: specific questions and numeric data

 Choices are guided by your question and resources