Jagannath University

Faculty of Social Science

Department of Political Science
Assignment on The Fundamental Research Methods of Social Science
and the Importance of Social Science Research.
Course Title: Research Methodology

Course Code: 4204

Submitted to

Dr. Arun Kumar Goswami

Professor
Department of Political Science
Jagannath University.
Submitted By

Afia Tanjim Ava

Id: B-160402053
BSS 4th Year 2nd Semester
Department of Political Science
Jagannath University
 Introduction:
The unique characteristic of human mind is the curiosity to know about the universe.
Innumerable questions arise in our mind about our environment, planet and the universe. Most of
these questions starting with what, why, how and soon. For example, what are stars? , why day
and night alternate? How is rain formed and why the mode of life and activities of human beings
vary from place to place? Whenever such questions arise we seek answer to them or we try to
find out solutions to them. Seeking answers to questions and finding solutions to the problems
have been the basis of human progress. A systematic search for an answer to a question or a
solution to a problem is called research.

Actually research is simply the process of arriving as dependable solution to a problem through
the planned and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of a data. Research is the most
important process for advancing knowledge for promoting progress and to enable man to relate
more effectively to his environment to accomplish his purpose and to solve his conflicts.

Definition of Social Science Research:

Social Science Research is a method used by social scientists and researchers to learn about
people and societies so that they can design products that cater to various needs of the people.
Different socio-economic groups belonging to different parts of a county think differently.
Various aspects of human behavior need to be addressed to understand their thoughts and
feedback about the social world, which can be done using Social Research.

• Qualitative methods rely on direct communication with members of a market, observation,

text analysis. The results of this method are focused more on being accurate rather than
generalizing to the entire population.
• Quantitative methods use statistical analysis techniques to evaluate data collected via surveys,
polls or questionnaires.
Social Research contains elements of both these methods to analyze a range of social
occurrences such as an investigation of historical sites, census of the country, detailed analysis of
research conducted to understand reasons for increased reports of molestation in the country etc.

Types of Social Science Research:

There are four main types of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Primary
and Secondary Research.

Qualitative Research: Qualitative Research is defined as a method to collect data via open-
ended and conversational discussions, There are five main qualitative research methods-
ethnographic research, focus groups, one-on-one online interview, content analysis and case
study research. Usually, participants are not taken out of their ecosystem for qualitative data
collection to gather information in real-time which helps in building trust. Researchers depend on
multiple methods to gather qualitative data for complex issues.

Quantitative Research: Quantitative Research is an extremely informative source of data

collection conducted via mediums such as surveys, polls, and questionnaires. The gathered data
can be analyzed to conclude numerical or statistical results. There are four distinct quantitative
research methods: survey research, causal-comparative research and experimental research. This
research is carried out on a sample that is representative of the target market usually using close-
ended questions and data is presented in tables, charts, graphs etc.

Primary Research: Primary Research is conducted by the researchers themselves. There are a
list of questions that a researcher intends to ask which need to be customized according to the
target market. These questions are sent to the respondents via surveys, polls or questionnaires so
that analyzing them becomes convenient for the researcher. Since data is collected first-hand, it’s
highly accurate according to the requirement of research.

Secondary Research: Secondary Research is a method where information has already been
collected by research organizations or marketers. Newspapers, online communities, reports,
audio-visual evidence etc. fall under the category of secondary data. After identifying the topic
of research and research sources, a researcher can collect existing information available from the
noted sources. They can then combine all the information to compare and analyze it to derive
conclusions.

Fundamentals of Social Science Research Methods:

Methodology and methods are two different terms in the research process the former refers to
procedures and measurements that are taken to understand the research query and how to employ
certain techniques to answer that query. Method means process or a functional organized work
through a certain output come. In social research there are following these methods:

Statement of the problem or general objectives: In social science research the first task is
identify problem which make survey necessary and the general objectives of the survey are
stated. The statement is generally expressed the area and scope of the study. According to
Mannan and Marry, identifying problem is the primary task of social science research.

Specific objectives of the research: In this section researcher think about why this research
paper was made and how it will be effective .Although the general objectives, usually few in
number are formulated without regarding to the requirements of the research technique; these
general objectives are broken down in to numerous specific objectives. The specification of data
to be gathered and the hypotheses to be tested by the research is accomplished at this stage.

Sampling: Sampling strategy to select a sample from that population. For instance, should they
survey individuals or firms or workgroups within firms? What types of individuals or firms they
wish to target? Sampling strategy is closely related to the unit of analysis in a research problem.
While selecting a sample, reasonable care should be taken to avoid a biased sample that may
generate biased observations.

Field work: The next important step is field work. Gathering facts from sample through personal
interview and observation. The interviewers are usually provided with an instruction manual
which explain the objectives of the study and the meaning of each question. If there are any
problem found the Researcher will fix it. If needed researcher could appointed experienced
person in research field.

Data Collection: Data is collected in interpretive research using a variety of techniques. The
most frequently used technique is interviews (face-to-face, telephone, or focus groups). Interview
types and strategies are discussed in detail in a previous chapter on survey research. A second
technique is observation. Observational techniques include direct observation, where the
researcher is a neutral and passive external observer and is not involved in the phenomenon of
interest (as in case research), and participant observation, where the researcher is an active
participant in the phenomenon and her inputs or mere presence influence the phenomenon being
studied (as in action research). A third technique is documentation, where external and internal
documents, such as memos, electronic mails, annual reports, financial statements, newspaper
articles, websites, may be used to cast further insight into the phenomenon of interest or to
corroborate other forms of evidence.

Data coding and tabulation: After collecting data form resource most important work is coding
and tabulation. After careful coding and editing of the data collected through survey may
transcribed into tables. This may be done by preparing a code, a numbered list of major items
such summing all the responses received to each question.

Data analysis: Data analysis is the analysis of collecting data such as text data from interview
transcripts. Unlike data analysis, which is statistics driven and largely independent of the
researcher, data analysis is heavily dependent on the researcher’s analytic and integrative skills
and personal knowledge of the social context where the data is collected. The emphasis in data
analysis is “sense making” or understanding a phenomenon, rather than predicting or explaining.
A creative and investigative mindset is needed for qualitative analysis, based on an ethically
enlightened and participant-in-context attitude, and a set of analytic strategies.

Reporting: The final phase of research involves preparing the final research report documenting
the entire research process and its findings in the form of a research paper, dissertation, or
monograph. This report should outline in detail all the choices made during the research process
and why, as well as the outcomes of each phase of the research process. The research process
must be described in sufficient detail so as to allow other researchers to replicate your study, test
the findings, or assess whether the inferences derived are scientifically acceptable. Note that
research is of no value unless the research process and outcomes are documented for future
generations; such documentation is essential for the incremental progress of science.
Importance of Social Science Research:
Sciences are broadly divided in to natural (physical) sciences and social sciences. Social sciences
include various disciplines dealing with human life, human behavior and institutions. Social
science played an important role nowadays. Now I describe why should social science research
is more important? There are many reasons some reasons are include here:

Source of Knowledge: Social research is an important source of knowledge. It opens new ways
of knowledge and wisdom. When something unknown brings to a researcher, there is a sort of
inner pleasure and happiness. It gives knowledge to the researcher about the unknown facts. It
paves out the way of ignorance and gives new direction in a social life.

Research In Informative: It provides updated, proved, authentic and very useful information to
the end users. Researchers and common people can take advantages from research. It is not only
informative. Its findings are scientific based therefore the results and information are reliable.

Social Cohesion and Unity: Social unity in a problematic area b/w two groups or castes is only
possible due to social research. Social research manifests the causes of these events and gives a
remedial solution to it. So, social researcher is the main factor for bringing social coherence and
unity in society.

Social Planning: If someone wants to develop and bring social growth and development in a
society, social planning will be developed which is the outcome of social research. In this
situation achieve the growth of society on right line is highly necessary. Social growth can
possible only when problems are solved.

Solution of Social Problems: Social research also helps in the solution of social problems it is
the research through which we can find the causative factors of an existing social problem and
guide us about his solution.

Structural Changes: Social research is responsible for bringing structural changes in a social
life. We bring social and cultural change in a social situation which is the outcome of social
research.

Social Welfare: Social evils can be removed from society due to research. The process of social
welfare is possible due to the procedure of social research through which social evils can be
removed.

Social Prediction: Social research helps in making laws and the relation between social laws
and their factors. It helps to know the existence of causative factors and their magnitude and this
facilitates prediction of results.

Social Control: For smooth running of society social control is necessary. For this purpose we
apply social research to a society for bringing social order and control.
Social Growth: The growth and development in a society is possible for the improvement of
living standard and it is the main function of social research.

New Techniques: Social Research introduces new techniques and improves the old ones. It also
modifies the existing tools of research. It gives us the methods of knowing new ways for using
our research procedure.

Conclusion:
Social science helps students to know about the duties towards human society and make us
understand how a man can fulfill their needs. Because of Social science students understand the
fundamental rights in our constitution, freedom fighters who fought for the nation. It also
provides knowledge of the social environment and nature.

Social Science helps the students to know the importance of democracy, freedom and rights and
how to live in society. It makes the student responsible, active and reflective towards the society.
And also makes the students well informed about the culture, religion and society; in short, it
makes the student well-informed citizen.

Reference:
1. Bryman,A.(2015). Social Research Methods: Oxford university press.
2. Cohen,L.,Manion, L and Morrison, K ,(2013). Research Methods in Education.
Routledgc.
3. Held,D.(1980). Introduction to Critical Theory: Horkheimer to Habermas (Vol. 261):
Univ of California press.
4. Mark,E,. Ina, F., Wendy, O., and Maria,P. Critical Theory: ‘Oxford University Press.
5. Tayler,S.J., Bigdan,. R and DcVault, M. (2015). Introduction to Qualitative Research
Methods: A guidebook and Resource, John Wiley and Sons.