Chapter 1 Doing Social Research

Alternatives to Social Research Authority Tradition Common Sense Media Distortion Personal Experience 2

Alternatives to Social Research Premature closure Halo effect Selective observation Overgeneralization 3

Table 1.1: Alternatives to Social Research 4

How Science Works Science The Scientific Community Data Quantitative Qualitative Empirical evidence The Scientific Community Ethical principles 5

How Science Works The Scientific Method and Attitude Beliefs/values Techniques/training PhD “entry ticket” The Scientific Method and Attitude Scientific method Journal Articles in Science 6

Figure 1.1: Steps in the Research Process 7

Dimensions in Research How will you use study results? What is the primary purpose of your study? How will you incorporate time into the study? Which specific data collection technique and study design will you use? 8

Dimensions in Research Use of Research Basic research The scientific community Applied research Evaluation research Ethical and political conflicts Action research 9

Dimensions in Research Feminist research Social Impact Assessment Research Study Social impact assessment Purpose of a Study To explore (Exploratory research) Exploratory Study Example To describe (Descriptive research) 10

Dimensions in Research Descriptive Study Example To explain (Explanatory research) Explanatory Study Example Time Dimension in Research Cross-Sectional Research Longitudinal Research Time-Series Study 11

Dimensions in Research Panel Study Panel Study Example Cohort Study Cohort Study Example Case Studies Case Study Example 12

Dimensions in Research Data Collection Techniques and Study Designs Quantitative Data Collection Techniques and Designs Experiments-- Experimental research Surveys-- Survey research Content Analyses 13

Dimensions in Research Existing Statistics-- Existing Statistics Research Qualitative Data Collection Techniques and Designs Field Research Historical–Comparative Research 14

Table 1.2: Basic and Applied Social Research Compared 15

Figure 1.2: The Time-Dimension in Social Research 16

Figure 1.2: The Time-Dimension in Social Research 17

Figure 1.2: The Time-Dimension in Social Research 18

Figure 1.2: The Time-Dimension in Social Research 19

Figure 1.2: The Time-Dimension in Social Research 20