CHAPTER-ONE
SOCIAL RESEARCH
1.1 Definition
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Phases on social research
1.4 Types of social research: Basic and Applied Research
1.1-Definition
The word research is composed of two syllables ‘re’
and ‘search’. Together research forms a
noun describing a careful, systematic, patient study and investigation in some
field of knowledge under taken to establish facts or principle.
As a starting point, it
is useful to examine some definitions that
explain a broad range of purposes and activities engaged in research. The following some definition are
considered,
According to,
Fred N. Kerlinger (1986): “Research is a
systematic, controlled, empirical and
critical investigation of hypothetical propositions about the presumed relation
among natural phenomena”.
John W. Best (1992):
"Research is a systematic and objective analysis and recording of observations that may lead to the
development of a theory”.
Research is a structured entity that utilized
acceptable scientific methodology to solve problems and create new knowledge
that is generally applicable. Scientific method consists of systematic
observation, classification and interpretation of data. Although we engage in
such process in our daily life, the difference between our causal day today
activities and conclusion usually recognized as scientific method lies in the
degree of formality, rigorousness, verifiability and general validity of the
letter.
1.2-Objectives
The objectives of research are:
· -To discover answers to questions through the application of scientific procedures.
· -To find out the truth which is hidden and which has not been discovered as yet.
· - To gain familiarity with a phenomenon or to achieve new insights into it.
· -To
portray accurately the characteristics of a particular individual, situation or
a group.
· -To
test a hypothesis of a causal relationship between variables.
· -To
find solution to theoretical and practical problems.
In general, main objectives of
research are
· - Exploration
· -Description
· -Explanation
· - Generalization
and Prediction
Characteristics
of research
Research is the procedure that includes a sequence of steps
needed to gather and examine the information to boost and amplify the
understanding and consideration of a particular topic or issue. It involves
major four steps as posing a question, setting a hypothesis, collecting data to
analyze the posed issue and presenting answers to the posed questions.
Good research has to contain all the essential
characteristics which are described below:
1. Purposive
Research must be
purposive. It means research must be conducted with a certain and definite aim,
objective, and purpose. Moving forward in research should be guided by stated
objectives and proposes. Only the research having purpose and objective will
lead towards certain conclusions and destinations.
2. Controlled
Control in research
refers to a
methodology that
is to be applied while conducting research. In real life there are many
factors that affect an outcome. The concept of control implies that in
exploring cause and effect relationship between two variables, we need to setup
our study in a way that minimizes the effect of other factor affecting the
relationship.
3. Rigorous
The process or procedure of
research must be rigorous. It means the
researcher must ensure that the procedure followed is relevant, appropriate and justified.
There should not be a conflict and doubt with regard to the relevance of the research taken by researcher. Lack of rigorousness in research may
lead to:
i) Selection of faulty research design
ii) Inappropriate and biased collection and
interpretation of data
iii) Wrong conclusion
The degree of rigor may
differ from one researcher to another and
from one field
of study to another. But there should be an acceptable degree of rigor in the
method of study to call it research.
4.
Systematic
The study of research
process should follow a sequence that logically terminates
in the result. The process of research has to be sequential and it has to
follow certain predetermined and It verified patterns and pathways.
5. Valid and
Verifiable
The research technique
and be valid and verifiable. It means the conclusion drawn by research should be correct and can be verified by researcher and other.
6. Critical
Critical in research refers to the state of the method, finding
and conclusion of the research. The process of research undertaking and it's
finding should have full proof of critical reviews so that result will be justice
worthy. If the research is containing any drawbacks of would not be called good
research.
7. Empirical
This means the results
and the results and conclusions drawn are
based on data or piece of evidence collected from the subject of research.
1.3-Phases
of social research
Social research is the study
of social trends, dynamics and principles that exist between individuals and
within societies. It is conducted in order to better understand the social
factors that motivates and influence human beings
and to analyze how and why humans interact with each
other.
Social research involves
scientific methods, theories and concepts which can enhance our understanding
of human behaviour, festivals, rituals, language, culture, heritage, tradition
are and problems encountered in the society.
Social research involves
the following phases
1. Formulation
of research problem
In real terms research
begins with a problem which needs solution.
Such a perception on the past of the researcher, first of falls within the
general area of interest indicating to
locate problem either in the quest of some intellectual pursuit or for some practical concern, such as finding out a practical
solution to a problem, evaluation of a program in the light of new facts,
gathering of for social planning even for policy making.
2. Review of
related literature
Since an effective research is based on past knowledge, an
investigator must always take advantage of the knowledge which have been
preserved or accumulated earlier. It not only helps the researcher in avoiding
duplication & formulating useful hypothesis but also provides him/her with
the evidence that s/he is Familiar with what is already known & what is still
unknown and untested in the field.
Review of related literature
implies the analysis of the summary of the writing of recognized authorities and the earlier researcher in the particular
area.
3. Formulation
of research objectives
Objectives are the aims
of research. The researcher wants to explore these aims
through the research. The simple way to make
objective is to first make questions that what do you want to explore in
relation to the topic and then convert these questions
into objectives.
4. Devising
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a
testable assumption showing relationship among certain variables of the research.
It is a logical relationship and is relevant to the theme of the research. The
purpose of devising hypothesis is to
confirm or reject some fact which the researcher assumes to be true or false in
relation to the research. Therefore, a research devises some hypothesis and
test them with the help of data collected to establish certain fact. Hypothesis help the researcher in forming a base for the
research. It specifies the focus of the research. It makes easier for the researches to carry out the research
to generate productive findings.
5. Making research design
The research design is
simply a plan for research. It outlines the methods and procedures used in the
research. It tells how the researcher wants to conduct the research.
Research design includes
• Which methodology will
be used?
Eg: quantitative or
qualitative method
• Which tool of data collection will be used?
Eg: questionnaire, interview or observation
• Who will be the respondents & how many?
Eg: sampling size and techniques
• How will be the
collected data analyzed?
Eg: Software, manual, graphs, tables etc
• Which test will be used to verify hypothesis other facts?
Depending on the nature
of research
topic, a researcher
also take other consideration of research design
into account while making research design. Writing
a proper research design is important because it guides the research throughout
process of research.
6. Data
collection
Adequate and appropriate
data are required for any standard research work. After marking research
design, the researcher starts to collect data for the research. The data is
collected according to the techniques reflected in the research design of the
study. The collected data is used by the researcher to derive the ultimate
findings of the study.
7. Data Analysis
Data analysis is the statistical analysis of the
data which involves operation like editing, coding, and tabulation. It includes
categorizing, manipulating, and summarizing of data to obtain answer to research
questions, with the help of different statical techniques, the hypothesis are
tested.
8.)
Interpretation and generalization
This involves interpretation and generalization of
findings into the large body of knowledge about the phenomenon. In the case of
large body of knowledge about the phenomenon. In the case of applied research,
specified implementation strategy is proposed to solve the problem identified
by the study.
9.)
Report writing
Research report is the end product of a research
activity. Researcher has to prepare the report of his/her research. Its
objective is to tell readers the problems investigated, the method used to
solve the problem, result of the investigation and conclusion from the result.
1.4-Types of social research
a. Basic/Fundamental/Pure Research
Pure research involves
developing and testing theories and hypothesis that are intellectually challenging
to the researcher but may or may not have practical application at the present time.
Thus such work often involves the testing of hypothesis containing very
abstract and specialized concepts.
Pure research he also
concerned with the development, examination, verification and refinement of
research methods, procedures, techniques, and tools that form the body of research
methodology.
For example: Developing
an instrument to measure the stress level in people.
b. Applied research
Applied research is a
type of research design that seeks to solve a specific problem or provide innovative
solutions to issues affecting an individual or group of society. It is often
referred to as scientific method of inquiry because it involves the practical
application of scientific methods to a everyday problems.
Applied research is
sometimes considered to be a non- systematic inquiry because of its direct approach in
seeking a solution
to problem. It
is typically a follow-up research design that further
investigates the findings of pure or basic research in order to validate these
findings and apply them to create innovative solutions. Applied research is also known as practical, decisional or
empirical research.