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Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture University of Peradeniya Second semester 2006/2007 EX 5208: Social Research Meth

Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture University of Peradeniya Second semester 2006/2007 EX 5208: Social Research Methodology (3 ). Prof. C. Siva., Dr. W. Wani and Prof.S. Thiru  Competence to undertake research is essential for all professionals to be effective in their careers.

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Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture University of Peradeniya Second semester 2006/2007 EX 5208: Social Research Meth

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  1. Postgraduate Institute of AgricultureUniversity of Peradeniya Second semester 2006/2007 EX 5208: Social Research Methodology (3) Prof. C. Siva., Dr. W. Wani and Prof.S. Thiru  • Competence to undertake research is essential for all professionals to be effective in their careers. • People are required to interpret research findings • Able to undertake research as well as evaluate any aspects of research based on objective criteria. • Thus a wide range of skills is required to be an effective social scientist. 

  2. Objectives  Provide an exposure to the basics of social research methods in undertaking research as well as be aware of the ethical issues & the purpose of social research. Intended Learning Outcomes: 1.Identify the nature of science and its dev. 2.Identify appropriate research problems and develop acceptable proposals to address them. 3.Use the scientific methods to design, carry out, infer valid conclusions & recommendations. 4.Apply research management principle to undertake effective research programs.

  3. Course Content:  1.Philosophy of science (ST/6hrs) 2.Research process and methods (CS/5hrs) 3.Formulation of research proposals (CS/3hrs) 4.Data collection methods (CS/ 6hrs) 5.Sampling (ST/3hrs) 6. Data analysis and interpretation (ST/7hrs) 7. Presentation of research findings (CS/3hrs 8. Scientific criticism (CS/ 2hrs) 9. Ethics in social research (WW/ 3hrs) 10. Research management (WW/ 3hrs) 11. In-class presentations (CS/ ST/ WW / 4hrs) Grading: MT:25%; AS:10%; RP:15% & ET:50%

  4. Methods Discussions, Short written Assignments (5-7 pp), Writing a research proposal(10 - 15 pp) In-class presentations (7 –10mnts.), • General reading: • Babbie,E.R. (1995). The practice of social research. Wadsworth Publishing, Belmont. • Bailey,K. (1994). Methods of social research. The Free Press, New York. • Commonwealth Secretariat (1995). Manual on applied research. Commonwealth Youth Programme, Chandigar, India. • Normad,G. (1997) Working for a doctorate: A guide for the humanities & social sciences. Routledge, London.

  5. L No.1. PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE 1.1What does Science mean?  Science is a body of knowledge that can be Readily communicated and verified. • Science is systematic & control method of knowing • Aim of science is to increase knowledge of • Man & of the world in which he lives – • What they are made of ? & How they work?  Largely Empirical & comprised of Objective language. Observed rigorously according to, accepted M.logy. Contain: Problem, Ideas, Evidence & Criticism. • Based on deductively organized knowledge but • Room for further development. Knowledge Grows.

  6. Distinction of Science from Technology Technology is concerned with discovering and using K to produce thinks which are useful. A typical scientist produces K. aim is to know as much. Technologist may employ the K produced by scientist. What is Philosophy of Science?Attempts to understand the meaning, method & logical setting of science by means of methodological analysis. Examines the relation & interface of Sc. & other human concerns. P.Sc. --- is comprised of --- a meta language Sc. --- is comprised of --- an objective language Reality -is comprised of --- objects, processes, etc.

  7. NormativeA prescriptive approach in line with widely accepted social norms and values. The study of what aught to be, or how problems facing the society should be solved. ObjectivityIndependent of who made them. A very important part of scientific philosophy. Concerned with the search for ‘truth’. Anti-positivists’ Sc.’s mechanistic in positivist definition, excludes: notions of choice, freedom etc. Social Sciences are predominantly fact-finding.

  8. Positivism and Post-Positivism Tow major philosophical schools of thought Positivism. The purpose of science is simply to stick to what we can observe and measure. Knowledge of anything beyond that, a positivist would hold, is impossible. In its broadest sense, positivism rejects of metaphysics The positivist believed in empiricism -- the idea that observation & measurement. Post-positivism In mid-20th Century this thinking moved into this era. There is no difference in kind between the two, only a difference in degree. One of the most common forms of post-positivism is a philosophy - critical realism. Positivists were also realists.

  9. The post-positivist critical realist recognizes that all observation is fallible and has error and that all theory is revisable. Need to use triangulation across these multiple errorful sources to try to get a better bead on what's happening in reality. Most post-positivists are constructivists believe that based on perceptions can construct the view of the world. We never achieve objectivity perfectly, but we can approach it. We should think about the assumptions we make about the world when we conduct research.

  10. 1.2 THE PROPERIIES OF SCIENCE Principles of scientific method1. Logical Aims at the rational understanding of the phenomena.2. Determinism Assumes things do not “just happen” Aim of the Sc. to formulate laws to account for that.3. Generality Understand overall patterns of events & correlationsGeneralize findings to the world at larger.4. Parsimony Explain in the most economical way possible. It is matter of setting the most out of research. 5. Empirism Propositions must be testable in the real world. Conclusions based on logically implemented.

  11. Science and ResearchScience is a body of knowledge that can be readily communicated to others and verified by them. Research is primarily an activity of the mind Discover truth is researchThe results of research have impacts on science, on lives of the people studied and upon the society.All have some extent the art of thinking Sceptical: Does the evidence support the present belief and for practice? Analytical: What is relevant? What is of major central importance (in complex phenomena)?Critical: We must develop the ability judge objectively, that is logically in the light of the data and the analysis.This kind of thinking is indispensable to good research

  12. Structure of ResearchMost research projects share the same general structure. May following the shape of an hourglass

  13. EX 5208:SRM L. No.1.3 SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY Human understands the phenomena through: experience, reasoning and research. Methods of Knowing Native Human Inquiry: Tenacity & Authority • Both push inquiry off in the wrong direction. Errors of Human Inquiry  The traditional image of Sc. is not a very accurate Common errors made in day-to-day inquiry: 1.Inaccurate observations: Errors in measures. 2.Over generalization: Selective, distort reality. 3.Illogical reasoning: Contradict in conclusions 4.Ego involvement in understanding: Unethical. 5.Errors in analysis: Inappropriate use of tools.

  14. Science as a form of Inquiry • Science represents a special form of human inquiry. Scientific inquiry is a conscious activity and is More careful than casual efforts Nature of Scientific Knowing 1.Use of conceptual scheme 2.Empirically tests the theories and hypothesis 3.Uses controls to establish causation. 4.Scientists consciously search for relationships. 5.Leaves out what cannot be explained, Deals with only testable propositions.

  15. Social Research in a broader perspective • Human social behaviour can be studied scientifically • Social scientific theory concerns on what is, Not proposing what ought to be/philosophy • Social scientific theory mainly addresses the regular patterns that appear in our social life. • Social scientists are primarily interested in-group or aggregate behaviour. • Social Research Problems • Concepts are abstracts • Imperfection association • Difficulty in controlling extraneous factors

  16. 1.4 Three Elements of Scientific Methods Research: Observing Facts & Drawing Conclusions. Induction – Deduction and Hypothesis Testing Induction Starting point – First stage scientific method. • An argument from the particular to the general • Not a justifiable method of argument. Tentative conclusion. Cannot prove - it is true. Arguments go beyond the information contained Inductivism A general approach that uses observations & systematic & broad way of scientific approach. Induction is only a necessary condition. Has some influence on economic research

  17. Deductionist Scientific Approach Problem Perceived Defined Reduced  Reduced Validated Tested Hypothesized Deduction • An advanced stage in scientific method. • Based on logical reasoning. • Explanations applied from general to particular • Derive hypothesis from theories. • Research conclusion, which can be tested. • Induction & deductions are not mutually exclusive.

  18. Grades DEDUCTIVE METHOD a) Hypothesis 100 IBDUCTIVE METHOD a) Observation 100 Grades 50 50 10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40 Hours Studying Hours Studying Grades Grades b) Observation b) Finding a pattern 10 20 30 40 10 20 30 40 Hours Studying Hours Studying Grades c) Accept or reject H? 100 100 c) Tentative conclusion Grades 50 50 50 0 0 10 20 30 40 • 20 30 40 • Hours Studying Hours Studying

  19. Deduction and Induction have the weakness i)Suggestion of hypothesis; ii) Logical development of hypothesis iii) Classification and interpretation of findings & conceptual framework. Deductionist are not practical –Theory & Hypothesis. Deductivism Axioms: Statement, no proof is needed. Prefect rationality, transitivity, non-satiety, Mathematics. Deduction helps statistical analysis. • Micro – more Deductive & • Macro – more Inductive

  20. Inductive and Deductive Thinking Top down Bottom up

  21. Hypothesis Testing Statements about relationships between variables Carry clear implication for testing. Much research is devoted to hypothesis testing Determine whether theoretical expectations are confined by what goes on in the real world. Four Reasons for important of hypothesis • 1.Organize efforts of the researcher • 2.Working instruments deduced from theory. • 3.Can be tested empirically • 4.They are powerful for the advancement of K. • Hypothesis are tested Not by the realism of its assumptions but By its ability to predict accurately and explain

  22. 1.5 THE ROLE OF HEORY IN RESEARCH An Attribute - Describesa characteristic or quality. A Variable - A logical set of attributes. S.Sc. understand the relationship between variables. Theories are written in a variable language. Concepts - Vague mental image or perception Take more than one variable.  Concepts are building blocks of propositions. Propositions -  Astatement about concept/s. Hypothesis Propositions that is stated in testable form.

  23. The scientific method basic set of steps: • 1.Theory construction 2. Derivation of Hypothesis 3. Operationalization 4. Collection of data. 5. Empirical testing of Hypothesis. Theory Purpose of theory is to predict and explain. Dual role in any particular research project: 1. It provides a framework within which information can be ordered, and interpreted. 2. Its role of a working hypothesis to test. Comprehensive set of statement relating different aspect of some phenomenon. Theory is a hypothesis that has been successfully tested. It is a validated hypothesis.

  24. Inferences Conclusions, -drawn from the available data. Better data more probable correct inferences. Levels of Inferences Speculations: hardly met very little or data, tentative ideas, involve imagination. Hypothesis: regarded as the level of inferences at which certain amount data. Theory: inferences based on sufficient data Law: general characters something very fundamental use vast amount of data.

  25. EX5208: SRM L.No.1.3 – MODEL SCIENCEThe first step in the process of arriving at an acceptable theory is the construction of a model..Models are often characterized by a more graphic or visual representation of a phenomena. Models help in achieving clarity and focusing on key issues in the nature of phenomena.Invariably replaced by sophisticated one. Axioms - Fundamental assertions – taken to be true – on which the theory is grounded. Statements that are true by definition and propositions involving highly abstract concepts. A mini. No. of axioms should be used develop e theory.

  26. Paradigm A fundamental model or scheme that organizes our views of something. It does not necessarily answer important questions, It tells us where to look for the answers. The theory, assumptions and accepted methods of research of a particular school of thought. Broader than theory. It consists of time theories, methods, values, norms and way of solving problems etc.

  27. Methodology Vs Method Difference between the Physical Sc. & the Social Sc. Centers around methodology and not around method. Method Simply means thedescription ofresearch technique or tool used in an applied situation or study – D. collection. Different tools are used in Physical Sc. than S.Sc. Methodology Means the philosophy of the research process Study of entire process that bring about knowledge Logy – theoretical system Includes assumptions, principles of validation, Serves as a rationale for research to reach conclusion.

  28. 1.6 THE LIMITS OF SCIENCE, RESEARCHABLE PPROBLEMS & SOURCES Scope/ Limit of Research Research is an attempt to answer a problem. Limits to examine e problem: Time, resource & ability. Research – careful and diligent search. Cannot prove that every thing is absolutely true. Every thing not be seen eventually known. There are always “problem” K is never complete.

  29. The growth of science is self-limiting Intrinsic limitation - natural.Cognitive: inadequacy & power of knowledge. Logical: outside the scope of the scientist. There is no limit upon the power of science toAnswer questions of the kind that it can answer. Criticisms Against Science Science do not guarantee against human error. Deterioration of quality of life. Despoiling the environment and the like. Objectivity of Sc. imperfect as it is not a function of the objectivity of scientist.

  30. Inter-subjective characters of Sc. provide a guard against scientific findings being bias. Scientific publication on researchers’ credentials than intrinsic merit more towards quantity than qualityThe purpose of S.R to clarify the nature of social lifeProblems of Scientific Social Research Concepts are abstract – no perfect indicatorsImperfect association between variablesDifficulties in controlling extraneous factorsCannot transform a question into a research problem.

  31. How does one identify a researchable problem? There is no one uniform way to do so. - routine formal observation, a manageable guess - refer research report, fit into existing research - talking to key informants/ people Choosing A Research Problem Relevance: extent and severity, avoid duplication Acceptability: interest and support of authorities; Feasibility: Cost effectiveness, Timeliness; Ethical considerations

  32. Research questions • What is the main problem of analysis? • What is the main question to answer? • What is the main hypothesis to test? • The results can never be better than its plan. • Need to give more careful thought to what should return to the respondents.

  33. Pure science versus Applied science Pure/ factual science is cognitive discipline, - Logic and mathematics, factual and empirical Applied science is an application of science.- Theological science; engineering, medicine, agriculture. Natural science and Social science Natural Sc. – physical, phy., chem., life &behavioral Sc., biology, psychology - primarily law finding. There are some fact finding natural science such as geography, geology

  34. Social science – astrology, economics, predominantly fact finding.There are some law finding social sciences sociology linguisticsThere are some who deny that the social sciences are genuine science. Why? Are they right or wrong? Is there any fundamental difference between the natural science and social science?Fundamental science – physics and chemistry.

  35. What are the steps / stages In Developing a Research Proposal? • Multiple steps – 4 distinct phases, • Requiring 4-6 months of hard work Step 2 Review, Synthesis & Conceptualization Step 1 Planning Step 4 Final/Comprehensive proposal preparation Step 3 Initial/Pre-proposal Preparation

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