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Research Methods in the Social Sciences

SSC 154 FALL 2012

DR HUMA BAQAI

Course Assignments and Readings

2 hourlies (1 theoretical, one research draft) 4 lab sessions for SPSS Research Project to be carried out and completed by the end of the semester, in teams or individually, in lieu of final exam Recommended Text:
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Bryman, Alan. Social Science Research, third edition (available in the library)

Course Aims and Expectations

All students must come to class having completed the assigned reading and prepared to contribute meaningfully to the class discussion based on what they have read. By the end of this semester you will be able to design your own research project, carry it out and discuss yours--and others'--research

What are the Social Sciences?

The Social Sciences are a branch of knowledge concerned with the systematic study of human life.
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human individuals, groups and their interactions form the main subject of inquiry for the various social sciences.

Thus, any discipline which deals with the social and cultural aspect of human behaviour can be termed a social science. Examples of disciplines within the social sciences include:
Economics, sociology, political science, anthropology, psychology o Each discipline has its own rich history and particular lens with which to understand the human condition
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Why is this a Science?

'Science' is a term used to refer to a reliable body of knowledge which can be logically and rationally explained.

Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Formal Sciences

Like the natural sciences, social science too follows the Scientific Method. Scientific inquiry must be:
Consistent Observable
Pertinent Parsimonious

Falsifiable Generalizable
Reproducible

The Scientific Method


1. Ask a Question
a.

The question must include both a manipulated and responding variable

2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Background Research Formulate a Hypothesis Test the Hypothesis and Analyse the Data Draw A Conclusion Repeat if necessary
a.

Hypotheses can often be wrong. If so, its time to go back to the drawing board and start again!

The Subjects of Scientific Study

While social science also adheres to the scientific method more commonly associated with natural sciences like chemistry or biology, there must necessarily be several basic differences because of the nature of the subject of inquiry Human subjects cannot be studied the exact same way as non-living or inanimate objects Hence, social science too must adapt the scientific mode of inquiry to suit the subject

Limitations of the Scientific Method

Practical experiments impossible


o

to

prove

theories

are

huge numbers of humans cannot be placed in sterile labs to study interaction

Less control over external variables: all raw data must be collected "in the field" Humans are self-aware and adapt their behaviour and thought as they see fit Internal thought processes can only be judged by external indicators The researcher is as human as his/her subject

The Empirical Divide


The first controversy in social sciences relationship with

the Scientific Method took place over questions of objectivity and empiricism. Early social scientists like Emile Durkheim, August Comte, up to Talcott Parsons, believed that the researcher and the subject of research can stay independent of one another, and there are observable, universal laws of human behaviour. These views were later rejected by post-positivists, who believe that human knowledge is not based on unchallengeable, rock-solid foundations, but rather upon human conjectures. This divide still informs methodological options in social research today

Positivism
August Comte: founder of positivist social science.

The goal of knowledge is simply to describe the

phenomena we experience It is impossible to scientifically discuss that which we cannot physically observe and measurehence anything beyond that is unknowable

Emotions, thoughts, beliefs, attitudes are not directly observable or measurable. Positivists placed them beyond the realm of the knowable

Empiricism formed the core tenet of positivism

The Move Toward Post-positivism


There was a growing rejection of positivisms

emphasis on only observable phenomena Critical realism: there is a reality independent of our observation of it that science can study Constructivism: we each construct our view of the world based on our perceptions of it. Both perception and observation, and hence our constructions, are usually imperfect. Human bias is hence always to be expected, even in researchers. Objectivity is not achieved individually; it is an inherently social phenomenon. Hence critique and academic reviews become important

Applying the Empirical Divide to Your Research


Your approach to epistemology will influence your

approach to the reality your research seeks to describe Figuring out your stance on the divide (most social scientists today acknowledge the importance of postpositivism) Can often influences whether your research will be more quantitative or qualitative Influences the questions you ask, how you ask them, and the methods you choose for your analysis Qualitative/Quantitative Approaches

The Methodological Divide


Social scientists remain divided on how best to methodologically adapt their research designs to these differences. Some attempt to ensure due scientific rigour in their work by using mathematical models (quantitative methods). These methods are more conducive to positivism Others insist that more descriptive and analytical methods must be used to account for the constructed nature of social reality (qualitative methods)

The Methodological Divide

The quantitative/qualitative divide is the most important disciplinary issue in social research methodology. It also distinguishes social science disciplines from one another Quantitative Methods: Structured Interviews, Surveys, Dataset Analysis, Mathematical Models Qualitative Methods: Ethnography, Participant Observation, Oral Histories

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