Social research part 2 intro

• Why is it important to study research methods?

  It influences observation and findings.
• What does Hermeneutics refer to in research?

  Interpretation of texts and meanings.
• What are the benefits of studying research methods?

  • Evaluate social science studies
  • Design and conduct empirical research
  • Make evidence-based recommendations
  • Identify sound scientific research
• What has characterized natural science research since the 17th century?

  Systematic observation, measurement, and experiment.
• How do social scientists use the scientific method?

  To acquire and refine valid knowledge.
• What guides all research activity?

  Assumptions about reality and learning.
• What is ontology in research philosophy?

  Study of what exists.
• What does objectivism assert in ontology?

  The social world exists independently of us.
• What does constructivism assert in ontology?

  We create and redefine the social world.
• What is epistemology in research philosophy?

  Study of how we know what exists.
• What does positivism emphasize in epistemology?

  Empirical and objective scientific method.
• What does realism acknowledge in epistemology?

  A gap between things and concepts.
• What does interpretivism focus on in epistemology?

  Understanding motivation and meaning of actions.
• What are the steps in the research process overview?

  1. Theory (Why?)
  2. Research question (What?)
  3. Operationalisation (How?)
  4. Analyses (Thus)
  5. Conclusions (So What)
• What does the theory step in research involve?

  Organizing and explaining concepts.
• What is operationalisation in research?

  Measuring and observing concepts and factors.
• What is the purpose of analyses in research?

  Processing data to answer research questions.
• What do conclusions in research contribute to?

  Existing theory and knowledge.
• What types of data can be collected in research?

  • Written text
  • Audio-visual text
  • Archives
  • Interviews
  • Surveys
  • Experiments
  • Observation
• What are data analysis methods?

  • Systematic procedures for analyzing data
  • Can be quantitative or qualitative
• What are data collection methods?

  • Systematic procedures for extracting information
  • Can be quantitative or qualitative
• When should different research methods be used?

  • Surveys: for generalization
  • Experiments: for cause and effect
  • Interviews: for depth of experience
  • Ethnography: for cultural insights
  • Content Analysis: for textual data
  • Visual Methods: for images
  • Mixed Methods: for triangulation
• Which method is best to assess if women think child protection laws need an overhaul?

  Surveys
• Which method is suitable to study if political social media content changes attitudes?

  Experiments
• Which method would help understand consensus on movie quality in chatrooms?

  Content Analysis
• Which method is appropriate to explore how consensus is reached in online discussions?

  Ethnography
• Which method would be least effective for analyzing political attitudes?

  Content Analysis
• Which method is least suitable for understanding cultural practices?

  Surveys
• Which method is least effective for measuring numerical data?

  Interviews
• Which method is least appropriate for analyzing visual content?

  Surveys
• Which method is least effective for qualitative data analysis?

  Statistics
• Which method is least suitable for quantitative data analysis?

  Narrative
• Which method is least effective for understanding complex constructs?

  Statistics
• Which method is least appropriate for triangulation in research?

  Content Analysis