Social Research
Social research refers to research
conducted by social scientists primarily within sociology and social
psychology. But also within other disciplines such as social policy, human
geography, political science, social anthropology and education. Sociologists
and other social scientists study diverse things from census data (on hundreds
thousands of human beings, through the in-depth analysis of a life of a single
important person) to monitoring what is happening in a streets today or what
was happening few hundred years ago.
Social scientists use many different methods in order to
describe, explore and understand social life. Social methods can generally be
subdivided into two broad categories. Quantitative methods are concerned with
attempts to quantify social phenomena and collect and analyze numerical data
and focus on the links among a smaller number of attributes across many cases.
Qualitative methods in the other hand, emphasize personal experiences and
interpretation over quantification, are more concerned with understanding the
meaning of social phenomena and focus on links among a larger number of
attributes across relatively few cases. While very different in many aspects,
both qualitative and quantitative approaches involve a systematic interaction
between theories and data.
The Nature of Social Research:
The general
procedures of research do not differ much from one discipline to another. Some
basic procedures and techniques are universally applicable in most social
sciences. However, in scientific cases, the procedures vary considerably. Since
social science is the study of all human activities, research in it is very
complex as one is concerned here with human aspect. In natural science, a
researcher has to handle a certain problem, which exists in nature. Tests and
experiments are carried out in close door laboratories. The effect of external
forces in minimum and changes in situation within given set of phenomena do not
take place so abruptly as in case of social phenomena. Social scientists have
to deal with human beings. Therefore, it is very difficult to predict out how
people behave under different situations. The social scientists should be very
careful in handling any research problem in each step and stage.
Objectives of Social Research:
1)
The
goal of research method is to design the framework of research work (proposal),
guide and steer the research, develop tools and techniques (data collection and
analysis) to achieve the stated objectives of the study.
2)
Social
research aims to understand the human behavior and its interaction with the
social institution.
3)
The
purpose of social research may be to acquire new knowledge in order to gain
insights into existing problem or social problems.
4)
To
gain a greater measure of control over social behavior.
5)
To
evaluate the existing theories and principles.
Utility or Importance of Social Science Research:
Utility or importance of social science research can be
briefly stated here:
1)
Research
is essential to diffuse knowledge and to expand its horizon.
2)
Research
helps us to verify or disprove, confirm or reject, modify and re-assert the
existing theories and to establish new ones.
3)
Research
helps us to know the nature and the magnitude of the problems of the day.
4)
Research
provides practical clues, to undertake measures that lead to social improvement,
social change and social problem.
5)
Industries,
business firm and commercial establishments can get lot of information and
clues about their endeavors (job) in society.
6)
Research
has educational importance. It is mainly an intellectual activity. Information
obtained through research may have educational importance.
7)
Research
can provide all the required data and facts to the administrators to adopt and
under take appropriate policies, plans and programs.
8)
Research
strengthens the “interdisciplinary approach” which is emerging out these
days.
9)
Those
working in the academic field can obtain a new degree known as P.H.D (Doctor of
Philosophy).
10) Professional researchers have made
research their profession and obtained handsome salary for their service.
