An Introduction to METHODOLOGY in Social Sciences

Methodology is… The study of methods, it deals with the philosophical assumptions underlying the research process.  A reflection of your view of an academic problem - Ontology  An explicit argument for your choice of theoretical framework - Epistemology

Method is…  A specific technique for data collection under certain philosophical assumptions.

Academic Research Problem Prob Form Empirical (Method) TheoryMethod ology Analysis

Ontology is..  A branch of philosophy concerned with the ultimate nature of existence

Epistemology is..  the branch of philosophy that is directed toward theories of the sources, nature, and limits of knowledge.  Includes the method for gathering data and obtaining knowledge

Positivism..  Realist or determinist – cause and effect laws  Objective observer  Experimental – under carefully controlled conditions

Interpretive/Hermenutic.. 1. Relativism- knowledge is relative to the observer 2. Subjective observer 3. Hermeneutic/interpretivism - data consists of description

Positivist vs. Interpretive  Positivist: –examining exterior data, what and when changes occur –viewing societal trends and changes limited in its perceptions and can best be used for determining when and to what extent groups in the society interact  Interpretivist/Hermenutic: –examining interior, how and why changes occur –allows for communication with the cultural background of a situation

Qualitative vs. Quantitative  Quantitative methods are associated with empirical, positivist research –Statistical analysis, describing pop. samples  Qualitative research is associated with ‘anti- positivist’ philosophies, such as interpretivism, ethnography, etc. –Textual records

Positivist vs. Interpretive: Mormon Child Brides Positivist: Time parents are in church compared to % of child brides Hypothesis: higher % of girl-children become child brides if their parents were more active in the religion Empirical Data: Survey conducted, data gathered and tested against hypothesis Conclusion: data confirmed hypothesis, therefore the more active the parents, the more likely that the child would participate in the ritual.

Positivist vs. Interpretive: Mormon Child Brides Interpretive Approach: Examine why the girl-child was considered suitable to be a bride and what the union meant to the participants Empirical Data: Qualitative Interviews Conclusion: would be that the unions were carried out under the guise of being blessed by God in their after life and acted as a right of passage for a girl-child.

The Fundamental Method  All research depends upon observation  Observation may be direct –Researcher as observer, collecting data, recording info (primary sources)  Observation may be indirect –Researcher must rely on reported observations, (secondary sources)

Choice of Method  Researcher must choose a philosophical approach (ex. positivistic or interpretative) within which to work, and must then determine which method is most appropriate for the kind of data they wish to collect

Methodology Section must include..  An explicit argument for your choice of theory  An explanation of your Empirical Data –Ex. Secondary sources Electronic Resources Statistical data –Ex. Primary resources (collection) Questionnaires Surveys