SOCIAL RESEARCH

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Topic

• SOCIAL RESEARCH: Principles, Scope, Information Sources, Literature Review, Official And Unofficial Documents. Primary
And Secondary Sources. Field Survey Techniques, Questionnaires, Interview, Case Study, Analysis, Classification Of Data
And Strategy Making. Focus On Gender Issues And Issues Relating To Women, Children And Senior Citizens.

• OUTCOME: understanding research methods and the importance of it in architecture.

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• It is to research on nature of
societies, on the relation between
social and biological realms, and on
the general march of progress.
• Social Research is connected with
the social life. The two cannot be
separated. Social research is in fact a
part of the scientific study/approach.
Social research investigates and
verifies social phenomena and social
realities, the facts about
social life and formulates laws this re
gard. After the laws have been
formulated, investigation is carried
out and interrelationships between
various facts and laws is established.
Through these steps we are able to
collect data and knowledge about
society. It provides scientific
knowledge about social problems
and helps the researcher to find out
solutions to them. In brief, the goal
of social research primarily is to
explore and gain an understanding
of human behavior.
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Nature and scope

• It tries to investigate the relationship that exists between various facts and phenomena of social life.
• A research aims to establish a scientific knowledge. Hence the purpose of social science research is to establish scientific,
empirical knowledge about the human society.
• Thus, the scope of social research centers on the use of scientific method for the establishment of scientific knowledge of
the society with the use of a scientific method. Scientific method is characterized by
verifiability, ethical neutrality, accuracy, precision, objectivity, and it is systematic, its production based on probability.
• The scope and method of social research is both wide ad complex because it involves the comprehension of social reality
whose nature is very complex unlike the physical reality. Social research also covers the field of social planning as social
research guides of the social planning process. Adequate social planning depends for its success on the systematic
knowledge of the social resources and liabilities. Social planning requires a store of reliable factual knowledge on whose
basis the blueprints may be designed.
• social research gives a greater power of control over the social phenomena.
• Dispelling the trust of outworn assumptions, superstitions and stereotypes by providing scientific and enlightening
knowledge is something, which too falls within the scope and domain of social research.
• Social research also has a direct implication for social welfare.
• Growth towards cherished goals of the society. These may be summed up assume important matters that fall within the
scope of social research.

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Types of information
• Primary: it is the original information that a company or a person has produced himself.
ex. Survey, patents, video recording and photographs.
• Secondary : these are interpretation of primary information that have been created after the events.
ex. Biography, dictionary, news paper etc.
• Tertiary: these are totally based on facts.

TYPES OF RESEARCH METHODS

Qualitative Quantitative

• Subjective • Objective
• Approach to seek in depth • Approach to seek in precise measurement
description in narrative form. in numerical form
• Research may have only rough idea. • Variables are clearly understood and
• Interview, documents, defined.
questionnaire, observation, • Test, observation, quaternaries.
• Précised, Literature Review. • Information Sources, Official And
Unofficial Documents.
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Research procedure

• Field Survey Techniques: Field surveys and data collection are essential for
base-line studies and for appropriate site/habitat planning, management
and monitoring.
• Questionnaires
• Interview
• Case Study
• Analysis
• Classification Of Data
• Strategy Making

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Focus On Gender Issues And Issues Relating To Women, Children And Senior Citizens.

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