BIO425L | Finals Period | 1

STS LECTURE ○Explain and predict people's behavior

WORLD, SOCIETY, AND CULTURE from a neutral ground than being part
Sources: PPT, Lecture Videos (add other sources if applicable) of the society
3) Empiricism
SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH
○ Fact speak for themselves and requires
no explanation through theoretical
proposition

Scientific Method
● At the most basic level, the scientific method is
a simple three step process.
● Begin by carefully Observing the parts of
nature, if something not well understood
arises, speculate about its explanation, and
then find some way into testing those
speculations (Carey, 2010)
● The scientific method has five basic steps:
1) Make an observation
Research
2) Define the problem
● Research generally refers to the systematic
3) Form a hypothesis or testable
investigation of a phenomenon
predictions
● For the social scientist, a social phenomenon
4) Conduct the experiment
(e.g. adolescent sexuality, poverty, social
5) Iterate: use the results to derive with a
movements) would be the focus of these
theory/statement
investigations (Portus et al., 2018)
Key Characteristics of Scientific Method
Social Science
1) Empirical Observation
● Social science is the science of people or
2) Replicable Experiments
collections of people, such as groups, firms,
3) Objective Approach
societies, or economies, and their individual or
4) Systematic Observation
collective behaviors (Bhattacherjee, 2012)
Classification of Research by Purpose
Social Science Research
1) Basic
● Social science research is a science
○ Aimed at fostering knowledge and
undertaking which seeks to do the following:
theoretical comprehension of social
○ To discover new social facts or verify
processes and human behavior
and test old facts
2) Applied
○ Analyze their sequence,
○ Centered on addressing practical
inter-relationship, and provide causal
issues and offering answers that are
explanation derived within an
supported by facts
appropriate theoretical framework of
3) Evaluation
reference.
○ Determining the value, merit, or
○ Develop new scientific tools, concepts
characteristics of a certain object of
and theories which facilitate a reliable
analysis
and valid study of human behavior
4) Action
(Young, 1989)
○ Designed to deal with specific issues
that will lead to particular actions and
Principles of Social Science Research
improved procedures
1) Objectivity
○ Produce evidence to substantiate or
Sample Studies per Research Purpose
refute existing knowledge or generate
● Health and Women amidst Covid -19 Pandemic:
new knowledge that challenge our own
Coping and Survival in an Informal Settlement
beliefs and those of society in general
in Manila
2) Positivism
● Mapping of Socio-cultural Factors and
Determinants Associated with Depression,
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Anxiety, Self-harm, and Suicidality among ○ Holistic

University Students ○ Naturalistic
● Impact Evaluation: Creating Spaces to Take ○ Sees all perspectives equally
Action on Violence Against Women and Girls in ○ Treats all ideas as distinct, interesting,
the Philippines and relevant
● Policy Analysis: Social Amelioration Program ○ Hones flexibility; open for changes as
Implementation in Barangay 471 Sampaloc, the data is dynamic
Manila and Its Impact on Mobilization
Quantitative Research
Classification of Research by Method/Approach ● Relies primarily on information of quantitative
1) Qualitative nature
○ This approach relies on human ● Conceptualizes reality in terms of variables,
experiences as its data source which measures and explores by applying
○ Data gathered using this approach are statistical techniques in order to study
analyzed through processes such as relationships between them
thematic analysis and narratives ○ Numerical information
○ E.g. interview, meeting, transcripts, ○ Statistical Techniques
recordings, documentation outputs, ○ Top-down approach
e-mails, notes, feedback forms, photos,
videos, other visual texts Data Gathering Strategies
○ Provides a more in depth 1) Ethnography
understanding of the different aspects 2) Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
affecting an individual or phenomenon 3) Participant Observation
○ Is ultimately more time consuming 4) In-depth, Focus, and Key Informant Interview
○ E.g. The Role Of Social Media In 5) Survey*
Philippine Politics: Facebook Use,
Information Consumption, And Political Ethnography
Participation Of Select Registered ● "Employs a holistic approach in studying
Filipino Voters culture which comprises interactions,
2) Quantitative behaviors, worldview, beliefs, and practices of a
○ This approach makes use of community" (Portus et al., 2018)
NUMERICAL DATA ● Data Analysis and Interpretation in
○ Data gathered using this approach are Ethnography (Wolcott, 1994)
made sense of through STATISTICAL ○ Description > Analysis > Interpretation
METHODS ● Writing an Ethnography Report (Van Maanen,
○ E.g. survey, polls, experiments, 1988)
observations, other forms of data a) Realistic
which can be converted into numerical ■ Impersonal, scientific, and
counterparts objective
○ Allows for the presentation of large b) Confessional
quantities of data ■ Fieldwork experiences and the
○ Is not able to grasp the inner feelings of researcher’s involvement
the respondents c) Impressionistic
○ E.g. The Relationship Between Video ■ Figures of speech to relay a
Games And Academic Achievement personal account

Qualitative Research Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

● What? How? Why? ● 6-12 informants with a facilitator
● "People’s attitudes, behaviors, value systems, ● Seeks to understand the reasons of behaviors
concerns, motivations, aspirations, contexts, ● Examines participants reactions to certain
and lifestyles" (Portus et al., 2018) stimulus
● Attributes of Qualitative Research (Denzin & ● Conducting a FGD
Lincoln, 1998) 1) Determine the participants’
○ Delves into the participants own qualifications
meaning 2) Develop an FGD guide
○ Inductive 3) Select an appropriate FGD moderator
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4) Determine the date, time, and place of ○ Build rapport/PIS

each FGD ○ Key interview guide
5) Prepare supporting materials ○ Conversational
6) Conduct FGD proper
7) Process, analyze, and interpret FGD Survey
● Generalizes the population through
Participant Observation "quantitative or numeric description of trends,
● "Involves the direct, personal observation (or attitudes, or opinions" of its sample
examination) of a social phenomenon in the
natural setting of the population being Approaches to Research
studied" (Portus et al., 2018) 1) Deductive
● Benefits of Participant Observation (Bernard, ○ General to Specific
2006) ○ Positivism
○ Gather difficult data ○ Supports or nullifies theory
○ Gaining knowledge 2) Inductive
○ People are more genuine ○ Specific to General
○ First-hand experience ○ Constructivism
● 5 Different Levels of Observation (Spradley, ○ Builds theory
1980)
1) Non-participation Process of Research
2) Passive Participation 1) Identifying a research problem
3) Moderate Participation 2) Reviewing the literature
4) Active Participation 3) Specifying the objective of the research
5) Complete Participation 4) Collecting data
● What to Observe (Namey et al., 2012; Mack et al., 5) Analyzing and interpreting data
2005) 6) Writing the research report
○ Appearance
○ Verbal behavior and interactions Tips in Writing Social Research
○ Physical behavior and gestures ● Document your research interests to organize
○ Personal space your thoughts.
○ Human traffic ○ Notes App and One Note
○ Journals and Personal Archives
In-depth, Focus, and Key Informant Interview ○ Proper Filing and Labeling System
● "Each of these methods seeks out an ● Read related references from trusted sources.
informant's deep insights, his/her detailed and Look for respected journals.
extensive knowledge, and experiences" (Portus ○ Asian Journal of English Language
et al., 2018) Studies (AJELS)
○ Philippine E-Journals
a) In-depth Interview
○ JSTOR
○ Every detail
○ SAGE
○ Verbal and non-verbal
○ Open Data Philippines
○ Probing the mind
○ Data Banks
b) Focus Interview
● Cite your references properly. Maximize
○ Existing the study
research softwares.
○ Certain specific phenomenon
○ Mendeley, EasyBib, Zotero, Microsoft
○ Test and produce
Word Tool, Google Docs Add-on, Chrome
c) Key Informant Interview
Extension
○ Special, unique approach
○ MAXQDA, SPSS
○ With a “person-in-charge”
● Ensure that it preserves human dignity and
○ Assisting the researcher
undergoes ethical considerations.
● Guidelines in Conducting Interview ○ Ethics Review Clearance (ERC)
○ Consent ○ Data Privacy Act of 2012
○ Appointment ○ National Commission on Indigenous
○ Introducing Peoples (NCIP)
○ Disclose ○ Informed Consent and Assent Forms
○ Inform