1. Social Science Research Methods
Maharaj HSB4U
2017

2. 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)

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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?

9. 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)

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

11. 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?

12. 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.

13. 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

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