Social Science Research Methods Maharaj HSB4U 2017

Social Science is Science! Conclusions are drawn through a series of tests Tests =experiments Reliability of Tests= solid conclusions Therefore DESIGN of experiment is PARAMOUNT Goes through specific Inquiry Process Observation/Testings/Relationships/Educated guesses/Forshadowing etc . Methodology is Important (how you gather data) The more accurate the experiment with minimal holes in research and data gathering= solid conclusions (FAMOUS)

Methods In The Social Sciences Field Experiment Set up a scenario and observe Or live the life Survey- paper/virtual Interview- one on one (speaker/listener) Case Study read and deduce info/cross compare findings Participant Observation- This is where you observe participants in your research either objectively or subjectively E.g. Daycare observation vs. being a participant in a playgroup (outside vs. inside)

The Inquiry Model for Social Science Development of the Research Question -Teenagers as socially awkward -How would dating occur in an environment where (face to face) social interaction seems to be declining

2) Exploration of Alternative Perspectives Examine all possibilities that may supply the answers or reasoning for your question Social Media? Awkward parents? TV children vs. Social interaction

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 3) (Forming an) Hypothesis (an educated guess)‏ Based on the information you have gathered, predict the answer to your question and specific outcome to the test you've planned. “I believe that the __________________ is causing teenagers to change their social interactions” -Social Media -New methods of interaction

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 4 A) Methodology/ Test Your Hypothesis called DATA COLLECTION Identify specific measurable behaviours to record What can we record as indicators? How will be measure? What’s the best way to get accurate information? Privacy issues? Consent? Create a step by step testing plan on your approach.

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 4B) Data Collection Create recording sheet Communicate your results in an observable chart form. Conduct observations Observation chart and interpretation and analysis of chart should be completed (charts, graphs etc) Informed consent?– Is this ETHICAL?

5) Assessing the Hypothesis Look at all the EVIDENCE you have gathered (DATA) Evaluate for VALIDITY (tainted information?) Biased? Outside factors that may have changed results Added Stimuli (Alcohol/Drugs/Distress etc)

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 6) CONCLUSIONS Look for connections and the “answer” to your question that you posed Was anything proven or disproven?

Last step! Most important 6) EVALUATION OF YOUR RESEARCH! Is your results accurate Loop holes? Tainted info? Bias? Enough evidence to prove it is one thing definitely over the other Could it have been something else?

Ethics In Social Science Research ASA Code of Ethics Maintain objectivity and neutrality in research. Respect the subject's right to privacy and dignity. Protect subjects from personal harm. Acknowledge collaboration and assistance. Disclose all sources of financial support.

General Rules Surveys require about 100 participants to be valid/acceptable Interviews can be at little as 10 to a max of 50 Some topics only require 10 especially if it is a sensitive topic Recruitment of participants is important How can you recruit participants Sampling? Referral *Snowball sampling Quantitative + Qualitative? Combination can work

Now you try to be objective when judging these.. On the class website are a few experiments Let’s judge it’s validity!