1. 1 Evolution of the theories of social science and their functions KIM Sedara, Ph.D. Sept 2013

2. 2 Contents 1.About Social Science 2.Reflexive Methodology 3.Preparing for Research and Design 4.Data Collection 5.Data Analysis 6.Dissemination and Publication

3. 3 About Social Science Social science seeks to understand human thought and behavior. Our lives are profoundly affected by the Social Sciences. Seeks insights and patterns, Confront ideas with experiences and analysis. Empirically oriented research? Objective reality (social fact)? OR Exploring people’s subjective or inter-subjective experiential worlds (meanings) (Alvesson and Skoldberg: 2004). Academic vs Applied Research

4. 4 Types of Research Science must be guided by values/visions and take possible action into account. Inductive vs Deductive approach VETA = Knowledge = Value/vision, Empirical, Theory, and Action. 1.Methodological Study 2.Technical Study: How can we measure development?

5. 5 3.Theoretical Study: E  T, or T  T, V  T A  T (What is best theory to guide research?) 4.Normative/Empirical study: Hypothesis testing ( T  E  T). 5.Exploratory Study: Inductivist/grounded theory (E  T). 6.Action Research: V  A or T  E 7.Evaluation Research: A  E  V 8.Descriptive Study: E

6. 6 Reflexive Methodology Philosophy, Economics, Political Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, History… Classical Thinkers and Meta theory: Hobbes/Locke, Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, Spencer, S Freud, A Smith, Comte. Theo = God and Ry = inspiration. Theory = Divine Inspiration. Theory is about hypothesis formulating, make it more systematic. It starts from concept to preposition = theory formulation but concept must be explained by definitions or conceptual analysis. Normative theory and Positive theory (How things are? With value demises of statement.

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9. 9 Social system: A = Adaptation (economy), L = Latency (culture), G = Goal Attainment (polity), I = Integration (Societal) Preparing for Research and Design Research Problem  Methods  Data Collection and Analysis  Support or Reject Hypothesis/Theory. Personal Interest Literature search Science vs Nonscience Resources Time People

10. 10 A Guide to research topics 1)The nature-nurture problem 2)The evolution problem 3)The internal-external problem 4)The social facts or emergent properties, problem. Data Collection Unstructured interview Semi-structured interview Informal participation observation Focused group Structured interview, survey questionnaire

11. 11 Participation Observation: turns the field workers into instruments of data collection and data analysis. It involves establishing and learning to act so that people go about their business as usual when you show up. Selection of informants—key informants Note taking: jotting down, the diary, the log, and the note. The note: methodological notes; substantive/descriptive note; analytic note

12. 12 Thank You