SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS

The Scientific Method  Need a set of procedures that show not only how findings have been arrived at but are also clear enough so that can repeat the inquiry to test the findings

Step 1: Developing a Research Question  Manageable; should not be too ambitious  Researchable; can it actually be done?  Goal of research not to find evidence to support your opinions; it is to ask “what if,” “how,” “why,” “how well,” “what,” and “where”  Interesting to a wider audience  Advances the field; takes the field forward  Considers what you want the research to achieve (deliverables)

What does this cartoon illustrate?

Review the research question that you have developed. -Does it meet all of the criteria? -How might it be revised? Make notes... PAUSE!

Step 2: Do Background Research  In a literature review the researcher reviews related and reliable literature published by other researchers  Obtains insight into the topic

The Literature Review  Shows that the researcher has read some relevant materials  Most importantly, it informs the research (question, methodology, etc)  Will include up-to-date information from books, articles, reports, research papers, newspaper articles, reviews, government documents, material from databases, etc.

Key Terms  Secondary Sources-items such as journal or newspaper articles that summarize what others have to say about a topic or issue (your literature review)  Primary Sources-obtained from field research that you (the researcher) performs (your research)

Key Terms  Quantitative Data-data that is capable of being measured in numbers(i.e. Statistics)  Qualitative Data-describes or explains something in words

Research Methods

Surveys  Developing and distributing surveys or questionnaires to sample groups who are fair representatives of the entire group under study  Data is graphed or put into tables  Advantage: can question large numbers of people about their behaviour and attitudes in a short time; data is quantitative  Disadvantage: a good survey is hard to design; issues of validity and reliability

Interviews  Researchers gather important information from individuals, such as professionals in a field  Ask direct questions to draw out detailed and personal information  Advantage: Can organize information quantitatively or qualitatively  Disadvantage: May be difficult to find appropriate individuals to interview; hard to guide an interview

Participant Observation  Researcher immerses himself or herself into the group under study  Join a family/live in a community to gain first-hand knowledge about a group  Advantage: Knowledge gained is rich and complex and thorough  Disadvantage: Time constraints; access to different groups

Case Study  Researcher observes the characteristics of an individual unit—a child, a clique, a class, a school, etc.  Purpose is to probe deeply and analyse many phenomena and then establish wider generalizations  Advantage: Recognizes the complexity of social “truths”; whole picture  Disadvantage: Prone to observer bias

Experiments  Investigators control and manipulate conditions which determine the events in which they are interested, introduce an intervention, and measure the difference it makes  Randomization is a key, critical element of a “true” experiment; random sampling and random allocation to a control or experimental group  Advantage: Fun and interesting to see the results  Disadvantage: Prone to bias (selective sampling, chance effects, subversion, reporting bias)

How do I know which research method is right for me? Choosing a Research Method

Consider...  What are the specific purposes of the research?  What needs to be the focus of the research in order to answer the research question(s)?  How will validity and reliability be addressed?  What kinds of data are required?

With a partner, consider the video Digital Media: New Learners of the 21 st Century 1) Develop a research question relating to one of the topics/themes addressed in the video 2) Consider how this might be tested 3) Do it! (let’s be quick...this is practice) Your Job Today