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Introduction to Social Science Research

Introduction to Social Science Research. Today we will discuss:. Overview of the Course Overview of Varieties Social Research Characteristics of Three Research Methods Surveys Experiments Qualitative Studies The Science of Social Research Role of Theory Wallace’s Model Inductive

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Introduction to Social Science Research

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  1. Introduction to Social Science Research Today we will discuss: • Overview of the Course • Overview of Varieties Social Research • Characteristics of Three Research Methods • Surveys • Experiments • Qualitative Studies • The Science of Social Research • Role of Theory • Wallace’s Model • Inductive • Deductive • The Goals of Research

  2. Overview of Course • Review of Syllabus • Requirements • Course Outline • Course Web Page • Using the Computer/Network

  3. Varieties of Social Research • What studies have you read or heard about? • Three major methods: • Surveys • Interview • Self-administered • Experiments • Types of experiments • True or Laboratory Experiments • Field or Natural Experiment • Qualitative Research • Ethnographies (understanding a group) • Observations • Participant Observation • Intensive Interviews

  4. Characteristics of Three Major Methods • Surveys • Typically focus on some population--sampling • Seeks responses to set items • Purpose can be descriptive or explanatory • Experiments • Seek to measure response to stimulus • Controlled by researcher • Purpose is explanatory • Qualitative Research • Interpretive • Focus on everyday life • Messiness or openness to design • Purpose • Exploratory • Descriptive • Explanatory

  5. Social Research as Science Scientific Characteristics of Social Research • Empirical • Based upon observed evidence • Rational and logical system of rules • Accepted methodology and analysis • Precise language • Clear definitions • Rational arguments • Replicable

  6. Rules of Scientific Observations • Observations are precise and accurate • Measures are developed according to rules of correspondence between definitions and observations (validity and reliability) • Scientific observations record variations of a phenomenon (variables) • Scientific observations must record variations consistently over repeated observation Variables are recorded measurements of observed variation of specific phenomenon

  7. Major Steps in Goal of Social Science Research The ultimate goal of research is to build explanatory theory. • This is accomplished through • Observation • Relating different observation/ • Independent variables • Dependent variables • Testing hypotheses • Revising or developing a theory • Starting Again

  8. Wallace’s Model of Science THEORIES EMPIRICAL GENERALIZATIONS HYPOTHESES OBSERVATIONS

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