What are core elements which lead to develop rigorous research design in social

research?

1. Introduction
2. Defining Social Research

3. Features of good research

(Flowchart)
i. Clear and precise
ii. Questions are properly phrased
iii. Scope and importance is clear
iv. The research has the ability of generalization
v. The research has objectivity

4. Core elements in consideration to develop a research design

i. Purpose of the Study
Why the research is being done. To find explanation, to find a cause/person
ii. Unit of analysis
Data being collected from one: unit is individual
From more than one (family, friends or random): unit is dyads
The research question determines the unit of analysis
Also known as the unit of observation
iii. Dimension of time
Cross-Sectional Studies are carried out once and represent a snapshot of one
point in time. Data are collected just once, perhaps over a period of days or weeks
or months.
Longitudinal Studies are repeated over an extended period. The advantage of
longitudinal studies is that it can track changes over time
iv. Control of variables
Researcher’s ability to manipulate variables
ex post facto design: investigators have no control over the variables in the sense
of being able to manipulate them. They can only report what has happened or
what is happening.
v. Mode of research
Depending upon whether the study is quantitative or qualitative, descriptive or
explanatory, cross-sectional or longitudinal
vi. Sampling size
What portion of population is to be dealt with?
vii. Observation tools
Interview, survey, questionnaire
viii. Field Data Collection
Researcher will outline on how the data will be collected and who will be doing it
ix. Data processing and analysis
In the research design the researcher is required to tell how the data shall be
processed (manually, mechanically), and analysis plans explicated. In case the
qualitative data are to be quantifies the procedures should be spelled outa

5. Importance of a good research

i. Systemization of knowledge
ii. Understand the nature and magnitude of problems
iii. Prediction of social change
iv. Aid in making public policy
v. Commercial importance
In products, movies etc.
6. Conclusion
Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative way of studying any social
phenomenon. Elaborate by giving an example of each approach and how that
can be inquired?

1. Introduction
2. Comparison of the two methods

3. Strengths of Quantitative Methods

i. Helps to compare
ii. Easy to summarize large pool of data
iii. Changes across time can be measured
4. Strengths of Qualitative
i. Helps to answer complex questions
ii. Views problems from lens of others

5. Weaknesses of Quantitative
i. Narrow range of information
ii. Superficial information
Difficult to understand the real meaning of an issue just by numbers
6. Weaknesses of Qualitative
i. Done with a small sample size
ii. Data is difficult to compare
iii. Researchers subjectivity might affect the research

7. Case Study: Suicide Rate in Japan

i. Quantitative Approach
Which age group is most affected?
How many per day?
Which time of the year, it is the most?
What financial backgrounds are most affected?
ii. Qualitative Approach
Why a certain age group is most affected?
Which time of the year, it is the most? Exams time for students
What financial backgrounds are most affected? Why are they
compelled to suicide?
8. Case Study: Suicide Rising Divorce rate in Rawalpindi
iii. Quantitative Approach
550 couples parted ways, 2900 pending cases
iv. Qualitative Approach
Financial crisis, covid-19 lockdown impacts

9. Critical Analysis
Both aid one another, to get the best idea of a problem if both are done: most
close to the real issue.
Mixed methods

10.Conclusion
Discuss the strengths and limitations of the three methods of data collection for
social researchers: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.

1. Introduction

2. What are the three methods: Definitions

i. Quantitative
ii. Qualitative
iii. Mixed Methods

3. When is there a need for each method

i. Quantitative
To measure Frequency ● Rates ● Amounts ● Scores ● Measurable differences ●
or anything objective
ii. Qualitative
To know about: ● Feelings ● Thoughts ● Opinions ● Beliefs ● Perceptions ●
Representations ● Language ● or anything subjective
iii. Mixed Methods
If there is a need for relationship between the two types of data

Venn diagram: Mixed in between the two

4. Strengths of Quantitative Methods

i. Helps to compare
ii. Easy to summarize large pool of data
iii. Changes across time can be measured

5. Weaknesses of Quantitative
i. Narrow range of information
ii. superficial information
Difficult to understand the real meaning of an issue just by numbers

6. Strengths of Qualitative
i. Helps to answer complex questions
ii. Views problems from lens of others

7. Weaknesses of Qualitative
 i. Done with a small sample size
ii. Data is difficult to compare
iii. Researchers subjectivity might affect the research

8. Strengths of Mixed Data Collection

i. Establish relationship between quantity and quality
ii. Yield a more complete evidence

9. Weaknesses of Mixed Data Collection

i. more cost
Requires more expertise
ii. Objective data being subjective
Questions fashioned in a subjective nature to support a stance

10. Conclusion
How can moral degeneration be scientifically studied? Delineate the entire
research process for studying this phenomenon.

1. Introduction
2. What is Moral degeneration: Social problem
3. Defining Social Research
4. How can the social problem of moral degeneration be studied: Steps
Flowchart (1 page)

i. Identify the problem

Conditions by Fischer
Discrepancy between what is and what should have been
If it exists: research is unclear over reason
At least 2 possible answers
ii. Review existing literature
iii. Formulating hypothesis
Research in a way that can be tested
iv. Choosing a research method
After analyzing: practical factors, ethnical factors and nature of issue
v. Data collection
Identify sample, no bias, economically viable
vi. Processing the data
Analyzed and interpreted, conclusions drawn
vii. Evaluation
Internal validity to the research:
Sample, conclusion, any overseen cause
External validity:
Apply it to the outsiders, across time, across situation and people

5. Conclusion