What is social research?

“a systemised investigation to gain new knowledge

about social phenomenon and problems” – C.A. Moser
“a scientific undertaking which by means of logical
methods, aim to discover new facts or old facts and to
analyse their sequences, interrelationships, casual
explanations and natural laws which govern them” –
P.V. Young
In essence then social research produces knowledge
which can be used for various purposes.
Why is social research important?
There are many reasons why social research is
important /useful including promoting:
Social Cohesion and Unity
Social Planning
Solutions to Social Problems
Social Welfare
Social Change
Stages in the research process
Determine the area of interest
Defining the research purpose/aim (using lit. Review)
Selection of a research method
Selection of a sampling technique
Data collection
Transcription
Presentation of findings
Analysis/interpretation
Stage 1: Area of interest
Decide on an area of interest, this is often based on
what the research finds interesting, problems the
research has identified in society or topical issues at
the given time
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL
RESEARCH
Stage 2: Formulating a research objective
Extended literature review
Is it an explanatory, exploratory, correlational or descriptive
study?
Objectives must be:
 specific – (can the data collected to answer this question
provide sufficient information to address real world issue?)
 Time bound – can be completed in a reasonable time period
 Realistic – can the study actually be conducted? Location,
access, resources etc
The clearer your research question or objective is the better,
but bear in mind once in the field this can change
Literature review
A literature review involves reviewing available literature on your
research area
Relevant literature can include newspaper reports, journal articles,
NGO reports, world reports, statistical reports, books etc.
The literature review not only helps craft your objective but also
clearly shows the context your research is to be carried out in
In summary, the literature review:
 Contextualises your study
 Reveals gaps in knowledge by directing you towards areas needing
additional research
 Insures you do not duplicate studies
 Shows that you are aware of existing literature and able to use it to
contextualise your work
Structuring your literature review
The literature review can be carried out in 4 stages:
1. Cleary state the field/topic under study and the key component issues
2. Search for literature relevant to the field/topic
3. Evaluate collected literature and separate the sources which
significantly contribute to your understanding of your topic
4. Discuss and analyse findings of pertinent literature

A literature review must generally include:

An overview of the topic (background)
An integration of work from various sources, identifying areas of
overlap or differences
A clear argument on the most convincing texts that support your decision
to pursue a specific research objective
Stage 3: Choosing a research method
The method is determined by the aim of your research
The aim of your research says something about the way you think the
world is constructed
Our worldviews are encompassed in what are known as “paradigms”
The term research paradigm is defined in many different ways by
different authors including:
 Rossman & Rollis “shared understandings of reality”
 Kuhn (1962) “the sets of common beliefs and agreements shared
between scientists about how problems should be understood and
addressed”
 Guba & Lincoln (1994: 108) “a worldview that defines for its holder,
the nature of the world, the individual’s place in it, and the range of
possible relationships tot hat world and its parts”
Research paradigms
Research paradigms are made up of 3 parts:
1. Ontology (what is the form and nature of reality?)
2. Epistemology (speaks of the relationship between the
researcher and the researched. Etic vs Emic
depending on the belief about knowledge and
reality, i.e. What can be known and what makes
knowledge legitimate)
3. Methodology (what methods can the researcher use
to find this knowledge)
 The main paradigms you will find in many social
science books are positivism, interpretivism,
constructivism
 ONTOLOGY EPISTEMOLOGY METHODOLOGY

POSITIVISM Single reality made Objective researcher- Quantitative:

up of social facts (i.e. Reality can be questionnaires
The :truth can be measured i.e.
determined in every Everyone can agree
situation”) the world on the truth”
is independent
(external) of our
knowledge of it
INTERPRETIVISM No single reality. Subjective Qualitative:
Individuals internally researcher-Reality Interviews
interpret reality in needs to be Observation
different ways (i.e. interpreted to Focus groups
People can hold uncover underlying Life histories
different perceptions meanings in
f the truth” participants
understandings.
Empathetic
understanding of
indiv
What is qualitative research?
Qualitative research is non-quantitative research that
places the observer in the world being studied
“Qualitative researchers study things in their natural
settings, attempting to make sense of or interpret
phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to
them” (Denzin & Lincoln, 2011: 3).