Unit 9: Research Methods in

Sociology

- Nature and trend of sociological research

- Choosing a research problem or a topic
- Formulating hypothesis or assumptions
- Designing a research or writing a research proposal
- Collecting / acquiring data through fieldwork
- Processing, analyzing and interpreting data / findings
- Writing up the report and Presenting / disseminating the
findings
 SOCIAL RESEARCH:
Research is a scientific and systematic investigation to gain new knowledge.
• The word research is composed of two syllables, Re and Search.
• Research is defined as a careful consideration of study regarding a
particular concern or problem using scientific methods.
• Research is systematic and organized effort to investigate a specific
problem that needs a solution.
• Social research can be defined as the systematic and objective analysis
and recording of controlled observations that may lead to the
development of generalization, theories resulting in prediction and
possibly ultimate control of events in society. It attempts to answer or
solve social problems.
• According to C.A. Moser “ Social research is a systematized investigation
to gain new knowledge about social phenomenon and problems”
• According to Kerlinger “ Scientific research is a systematic, control,
empirical and critical investigation about various phenomenon”
 CHARACTERSTICS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH:

• Systematic and scientific procedure.

• Directed towards the solution of social problems.
• Interdisciplinary in nature.
• Valid and verifiable.
• Based on empirical.
• Controlled and critical.
According to Ranjit Kumar (2012): “Research Methodology”.
• Controlled
• Rigorous
• systematic
• Valid and Verifiable
• Empirical
• Critical
 TYPES OF SOCIAL RESEARCH:
1. Based on Application:
Basic/ Pure Research
Applied/ Practical Research
2. Based on information :
Qualitative Research
Quantitative research
3. objectives perspective
descriptive Research
Correlational Research
Explanatory research
exploratory research.
• Basic research is also known as fundamental or pure search. Generally, basic research is conducted by
intellectual at academic institutions. It is conducted largely for the enhancement of knowledge.
• According to Travers, “Basic research is designed to an organized body of scientific knowledge and
doesn’t necessarily produce result of immediate practical values”. It is based on the belief, ‘Knowledge
for knowledge sake’. It involves collection and analysis of data to develop or enhance knowledge and
theory.
• Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world. It is always for
development purpose. It involves collection and analysis of data to examine the useful of theory in
solving practical problems. The goal of applied research is to improve the human conditions. It focuses
on analysis and solving social and real life problems.
• According to Hunt, “Applied research is an investigation for way of using scientific knowledge to solve
practical problems”. It is used to find solution to everyday social, economic and cultural problems.
•
• Qualitative data are usually presented in the form of words.
Qualitative research is primarily exploratory in nature. It is used to gain
an understanding of underlying reason, opinion and motivation.
• It is a process of naturalistic inquiry that seeks in-depth understanding
of social phenomenon within their natural setting.
• According to Punch (1998) “ Qualitative research is a empirical research
where the data are not in the forms of numbers” . Qualitative research
is also called ethnographic study.
• Quantitative research is defined as a systematic investigation of
phenomena by gathering quantifiable data and performing statistical,
mathematical, or computational techniques.
• Quantitative methodology is the dominant research framework in the
social sciences.
• Quantitative research collects information from existing and potential
respondents using sampling methods and sending out online surveys,
online polls, questionnaires, etc., the results of which can be depicted in
the form of numerical.
Research Methods in Sociology:
• Sociologists use the scientific method. Methods in sociology refer to
research procedures for measuring variables and generating and analyzing
data of interest to the researcher.
• Research method is a systematic plan for doing research. There are four
commonly used methods of sociological research.
• Experiment Method: It is a research method for investigating cause and
effect under highly controlled condition. It is typically explanatory, asking
not just what happen but also why.
• Survey Method: It is a research method in which subject respond to a series
of statement or Questionnaire and Interview (survey questionnaire and
survey interview).
• Participate Observation: It is a research method in which investigators
systematically observe people while joining them in their routine activities.
It is also called fieldwork.
• Use of Existing Data: It is collected by others, specially the widely available
data collected by Government agencies, NGOs, INGOs and a historical
documentation (secondary data).
 Research Processes:

1. Choosing a research problem or a topic

2. Formulating hypothesis or assumptions
3. Designing a research or writing a research proposal
4. Collecting / acquiring data through fieldwork
5. Processing, analyzing and interpreting data / findings
6. Writing up the report and Presenting / disseminating the
findings
 Choosing a research problem or a topic:
• Formulating a research problem is the first and most important
step in the research process.
• A research problem identifies your destination: it should tell
you, your research supervisor and your readers what you
intend to research
• The formulation of a research problem is the first and most
important step of the research process. It is like the
identification of a destination before undertaking a journey. In
the absence of a destination, it is impossible to identify the
shortest – or indeed any – route. Similarly, in the absence of a
clear research problem, a clear and economical plan is
impossible
• A research problem may take a number of forms, from the very
simple to the very complex.
Sources of research problems:
1.people
2. problems
3. programmes
4. phenomena
Considerations in selecting a research problem
1. Interest
2. Magnitude
3. Measurement of concepts
4. Level of expertise
5. Relevance
6. Availability of data
7. Ethical issues
Steps in formulating a research problem:
1. Identify a broad field or subject area of
interest to you
2. Dissect the broad area into subareas
3. Select what is of most interest to you
4. Raise research questions
5. Formulate objectives
6. Assess your objectives.
7. Double-check.
• Research Topic: Causes of women Violences
• Research Questions: What are the main
causes of women violence's in the study area?
• Research Objectives: To find out the main
causes of women violence's in the study area.
 Formulating hypothesis or assumptions
• A hypothesis is a testable statement about the relationships
between two or more empirical variables.
• The second important consideration in the formulation of a research
problem in quantitative research is the construction of a hypothesis.
• Hypotheses bring clarity, specificity and focus to a research
problem, but are not essential for a study
• According to Kerlinger, ‘A hypothesis is a conjectural statement of
the relationship between two or more variables.
• Black and Champion define a hypothesis as ‘a tentative statement
about something, the validity of which is usually unknown’
- It is a tentative proposition.
- Its validity is unknown.
- In most cases, it specifies a relationship between two or more
variables.
 The functions of a hypothesis:
1. The formulation of a hypothesis provides a study
with focus.
2. It tells you what specific aspects of a research
problem to investigate.
3. A hypothesis tells you what data to collect and
what not to collect, thereby providing focus to the
study. As it provides a focus, the construction of a
hypothesis enhances objectivity in a study.
4. A hypothesis may enable you to add to the
formulation of theory.
5. It enables you to conclude specifically what is true
or what is false.
 The characteristics of a hypothesis

• A hypothesis should be simple, specific and

conceptually clear
• A hypothesis should be capable of verification.
• A hypothesis should be related to the existing
body of knowledge
• A hypothesis should be operationalisable.
 Types of Hypothesis:
• A hypothesis is an approximate explanation that relates to the set
of facts that can be tested by certain further investigations.
• There are basically two types, namely, null hypothesis and
alternative hypothesis.
1. The null hypothesis is generally denoted as H0. It states the exact
opposite of what an investigator or an experimenter predicts or
expects. It basically defines the statement which states that there
is no exact or actual relationship between the variables.
2. The alternative hypothesis is generally denoted as H1. It makes a
statement that suggests or advises a potential result or an
outcome that an investigator or the researcher may expect.
- Null Hypothesis(Ho): There is no relationship between
unemployment and education.
- Alternative Hypothesis(H1): There is a relationship between
unemployment and education.
 Designing a research or writing a research
proposal:
• Research proposal is a detailed plan or "blueprint" for the intended
Research.
• A research proposal is a simply a structured, formal document that
explains what you plan to research, why it’s worth researching
and how you plan to investigate it.
a. what ( your research topic).
b. why ( your justification).
c. how ( your practical approach).
• A research proposal details the operational plan for obtaining answers
to research questions.
• It must tell your supervisor and others what you propose to do, how
you plan to proceed and why the chosen strategy has been selected.
• It thus assures readers of the validity of the methodology used to
obtain answers accurately and objectively.
• The purpose of the research proposal is
to convince your research supervisor,
committee or university that your research
is suitable and manageable.
• A good research proposal sample is the
backbone of the entire activity.
• It must be kept as short and precise as
possible.
• It should be written in a plain language that
can be understood by the readers.
 Major components of research proposal :

1. Title
2. Introduction
3. Statement of the Problem
4. Research Questions
5. Research Objectives
6. Literature Review ( Conceptual review, theoretical review and empirical review,
policy review).
7. Research Methodology
- Selection of the Study Area
- Research Design
- Sampling ( Universe and Sampling).
- Nature and Sources of Data
- Data Collection Techniques
- Data Analysis Methods.
References
Plan - time frame and schedule of activities
• Budget
 Collecting / acquiring data through
fieldwork
• Research data is any information that has been collected,
observed, generated to validate original research findings.
• Field works is the process of observing and collecting data about
people, culture, and natural environment.
• According to Goode and Hatt” Field work is a study of people
and their culture in their natural situation”.
• Fieldwork supplies the primary information or firsthand
information which will be carried out by researcher by himself
or in group.
• For the collection of information from the field they need to use
different tools and instruments such as questionnaire, interview
schedule, checklist, audio, video, filed notes and field dairies
 Preparation of field work:
1. Intellectual Preparation
2. Psychological Preparation
3. Methodological Preparation
4. Physical Preparation
 Data Collection Techniques/ Tools:

Data Collection is a methodological process of gathering and

analyzing specific information.
1. Interview ( Structured/ Formal and Unstructured/ Informal
Interview)
2. Observation ( Participant and Non Participant Observation)
3. Case study ( Individual and Group Case Study)
4. Focus Group Discussion
5. Questionnaire ( Open-ended/ Unstructured and Closed ended/
Structured Questionnaire).
6. Social Survey
7. Life History
8. PRA and RRA( Participatory Rural Appraisal and Rapid Rural
Appraisal).
 Processing, analyzing and interpreting data / findings
• Data processing occurs when data is collected and translated into usable information.
Usually performed by a data scientist or team of data scientists, it is important for data
processing to be done correctly as not to negatively affect the end product, or data
output.
• Data processing is the collecting and manipulation of data into the usable and desired
form
• Data processing starts with data in its raw form and converts it into a more readable
format (graphs, documents, etc.), giving it the form and context necessary to be
interpreted by computers and utilized by employees throughout an organization.
- Editing
- Coding
• Data analysis and interpretation is the process of assigning meaning to the collected
information and determining the conclusions, significance, and implications of the
findings
• Data interpretation refers to the implementation of processes through which data is
reviewed for the purpose of arriving at an informed conclusion. The interpretation of data
assigns a meaning to the information analyzed and determines its signification and
implications.
- The way you analyze the information you collected largely
depends upon two things: the type of information (descriptive,
quantitative, qualitative or attitudinal); and the way you want to
communicate your findings to your readers.
- In addition to the qualitative–quantitative distinction, it is
important for data analysis that you consider whether the data is
to be analyzed manually or by a computer.
- If your study is purely descriptive, you can write your
dissertation/report on the basis of your field notes, manually
analyse the contents of your notes (content analysis), or use a
computer program such as Ethnograph for this purpose.
- If you want quantitative analysis, it is also necessary to decide
upon the type of analysis required (i.e. frequency distribution,
cross-tabulations or other statistical procedures, such as
regression analysis, factor analysis and analysis of variance) and
how it should be presented. You will also need to identify the
variables to be subjected to these statistical procedures.
 -
Writing up the report and Presenting /
disseminating the findings
• The last step in the research process is writing the
research report.
• In a way, writing your report is the most crucial step in
the research process as it communicates the findings to
your research supervisor and readers.
• Writing the report is the last and, for many, the most difficult
step of the research process. This report informs the world
what you have done, what you have discovered and what
conclusions you have drawn from your findings. If you are
clear about the whole process, you will also be clear about
the way you want to write your report
 Components of Report Writing:
COVER PAGE
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
LETTER OF APPROVAL
DECLARATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ABSTRACT
TABLE OF CONTENT
1. Introduction
2. Statement of the Problem
3. Research Questions
4. Research Objective
5. Significance of the Study
6. Literature Review
7. Research Methodology
8. Data Analysis and Presentation
9. Summary and Conclusion
References
 Sampling Methods:
• Sampling is a method that allows us to get
information about the population based on the
statistics from a subset of the population (sample),
without having to investigate every individual.
• Sampling is a method that allows us to get
information about the population based on the
statistics from a subset of the population (sample),
without having to investigate every individual.
 Types of Sampling:
• Probability Sampling: In probability sampling, every element of the population
has an equal chance of being selected. Probability sampling gives us the best
chance to create a sample that is truly representative of the population
1. Simple Random Sampling
2. Stratified Sampling
3. s
4. Multistage Sampling
5. Cluster Sampling.
• Non-Probability Sampling: In non-probability sampling, all elements do not have
an equal chance of being selected. Consequently, there is a significant risk of
ending up with a non-representative sample which does not produce generalizable
results.
1. Purposive Sampling
2. Convenience Sampling
3. Quota Sampling
4. Accidental Sampling
5. Snowball Sampling.
 Research Design:
• Research design is the framework of research
methods and techniques chosen by a
researcher. The design allows researchers to
hone in on research methods that are suitable
for the subject matter and set up their studies
up for success.
 Types of Research Design:
1. Descriptive research design: In a descriptive design, a researcher is solely interested in
describing the situation or case under their research study. It is a theory-based design
method which is created by gathering, analyzing, and presenting collected data. This
allows a researcher to provide insights into the why and how of research.
2. Experimental research design: Experimental research establishes a relationship
between the cause and effect of a situation. It is a causal design where one observes
the impact caused by the independent variable on the dependent variable.
3. Correlational research design: Correlational research is a non-experimental research
technique that helps researchers establish a relationship between two closely
connected variables. This type of research requires two different groups. There is no
assumption while evaluating a relationship between two different variables, and
statistical analysis techniques calculate the relationship between them.
5. Explanatory research design: Explanatory design uses a researcher’s ideas and
thoughts on a subject to further explore their theories. The research explains
unexplored aspects of a subject and details about what, how, and why of
research questions.