Social research

The importance of research in modern era as increased as the progress of science took its
place. Research is considered as the base of human civilisation culture as science itself take
place and developed through many ups and downs simultaneously preserved the experiments
even after collecting it. Social research is essential to understand human fully in the society
therefore research can be carried out on the subjects which matters to human behaviour,
social events, social phenomenon.
Acc. to Prof. Perruci and associates ;
“Scientists arrived at an idea that there are innumerable ways to study. Some research ideas
are simply attempts to test or modify ideas found in previous research other, research studies
evolved personal interests in a question. Once an idea is chosen the way in which the study is
actually, certainly can be carried out and can be understood by only partially by the rules or
logic of scientific enquiry.
Meaning; Social + research composed of two words social and research before coming to
social first understand the research .
Research is the system of obtaining new knowledge in any systematic and arranged way
According to Redman and Morry ;
“Research is the systematized effort to gain new knowledge”
Research is a systematised effort in scientific system for the research of facts or for testing of
achieved knowledge. Research is also known by other words like discovery, invention, Finding.
Now its easy to define Social research is the scientific system for achieving truth about social
facts, the relations and the social processes.
Moser ; “systematised investigations to gain new knowledge about new phenomenon and
new problem we call social research”
characteristics
Social research is the scientific study based on logical and sequence system
Social research explains about the events of social life
social research invents new facts and proves the validity of old facts
social research studies the relationship between different facts
social events are controlled by social research
Acc to Prof. Perruci
The particular study developed by social researcher may be classified as either descriptive
research or analytical research the descriptive research often arises from the need to have
accurate information about the existence of some social phenomenon
Analytical research is the analytical study develops from theory and is designed to test specific
hypothesis
Intro; Acc to some scholars social research is a dynamic process every kind of research is
carried out in few special steps. There are many theories regarding how many steps should be
there in social research should be completed. One sociologist have told that there 4 steps of
social researcher other told 15. WJ told about 18 steps. ACCA Agriculture councillor
committee of America told 7 steps of social research.
kind Quality-Quant, Experimental Motivting Factor
Selection of study material IMPORTANCE Main objectives
Determination of scope Attainment of new knowledge Enchancing knowledge
Review of literature Scientific study Analysis of social Problem Solving
Regional Survey events Classification of facts
Determined & defined units Helpful in social progress Evaluating programs
Formation of hypothesis Helpful in social Control Prompting social changes
Motivting Factor Helpful in Social Welfare Social welfare
phenomenon arise in the Assumption Social control & predication
society and human faces the Social reality is measurable Understanding complex
situation only but researchers Human behavior follows patterns social issues
not satisfied only by simply Knowledge must be based on To understand and improve
watching the situations evidence Research should be human society and the
he searches for new methods. value-neutral world we live in

Observation – Data collection

It is noteworthy that the observation is not only one of the most common or pervasive
activities of daily life, but it is a primary tool of scientific enquiry. William J. Goode and Paul K.
Hatt Science begins with observation and must ultimately return to observation for its final
validation. observation becomes a scientific technique to the extent that it (a) serves a
research purpose, (b) is planned systematically, (c) is subjected to checks and controls, and (d)
is recorded systematically .It is important to noteworthy that in social science sphere, the
observation was probably the oldest method of investigation. The social reformer, the
philosopher and the preacher, he tried to incalculate moral values after observation only.
E.G. “Raja Ram Mohan Roy” In the field of social science particularly sociology, observation is
most perfect, dependable and perfect technique for research.
Acc. to Oxford Advances learner Dictionary 8th Ed.
Observation; “The Act of watching somebody, something carefully for a period of time,
especially to learn something”
Characterstics of Observation
Direct Method
Collection of primary data –
Collection follows observation –
Relationship bw the Investigator and the Respondent In Observation method, the
investigator himself comes in contact with phenomenon cause and effect
MERITS DEMERITS *Simplest *Not possible to observe every
method of study phenomenon
*Useful for formulation of hypothesis *Not useful for all problems
*Greater Accuracy Guaranteed *Perception may be faulty
*Results more dependable/convincing *Personal Bias & prejudice
InterView is a word of English language. It is made of two words : 'inter' + 'view' 'Inter' means :
internal. 'View' means : observaton. Thus, the verbal meaning of the interview is internal
observation', In interview, the interviewer himself approaches the investigator, puts questions to him
and himself records the replies, usually not bringing to the notice of the respondents. In this system,
there is direct contact between the respondent and the informant. There are different methods of
interview and the system has its advantaged as well as limitations, but the system on the whole
requires preparations and many stages are to be crossed before it becomes possible to start with
actual interview work. Each interviewer also has an Interview guide which considerably helps him in
completing his task. M.N. Basu, "An interview can be defined as a meeting of persons face to
face on some points. types Classification
Interview basis on the objective funcation and methodology No. informant respondent
Clinical*Selection*Diagonostic*research NonDirected*Focused*Repeated Group & Individual

Structured & Unstructured

Schedule The schedule method is one of the important methods for the study of social problems. In
social research two procedures are generally used: Questionnaire and Schedule. These two are very
similar, but differ so far as the construction is concerned. There is another difference between the
two and it is in regard to the mode of their application. The Schedule is generally used in direct
method of observation or interview. On the other hand, the questionnaire is generally sent to the
respondents by post. They are requested to fill up and return it to the investigator. Answers to the
questions are furnished by the respondents themselves. Thus, these two procedures differ in regard
to the mode of collection of data also. In one, the investigator himself collects the informations by
interviewing the respodents while in the other the respondent is free to send it at his own
convenience. Goode and Hatt, "Schedule is the name usually applied to a set of questions which are
asked and filled in by an interviewer in a face to face situation with another person.'
Characterstic By PV YOUNG
Accurate Communication: Explain - Que should be interlinked* Be separated and sugestive
Accurate Response: Explain – Should be Attractive, Lenghty enough* Not injure personal feeling
*Question should be relevant,upto point
Merit Higher response*Saving of time*Original* Demerit -*Self biased Data*small area*
cheaper* Less chance of error Nearness of data

Before starting the research work, the investigator has to decide whether the entire population is to
be made subject for data collection or a particular group is to be selected as representative of the
entire population. The former method when the entire population is taken into account, is called
'Census method'. On the other hand, when a small group is taken into account as representative of
the whole, is called 'Sampling method' * two methods of social study: 1. Census method and 2.
Sampling method. Meaning and Definition of Sampling: When a small group is taken as the
representative of the whole, the study is called sampling study. In the words of Goode and Hatt, "A
sample, as the name implies, is a smaller representative of a large whole.

Non-Probability Sampling (Chances of selection Probability Sampling (Each unit has a known
are unknown) chance of selection)
Non-probability sampling is a method in which Probability sampling is a method of selecting a
some individuals in the population have no sample in which every individual in the
chance of being selected, and selection is often population has a known, non-zero, and usually
based on the researcher’s judgment, equal chance of being chosen. It relies on
convenience, or accessibility rather than random selection and is used to ensure that the
randomness. sample is representative of the entire
Convenience Sampling*Quota* population.
Judgmental/Purposive *Snowball Simple Random Sampling *Systematic *Stratified
*Cluster *Multistage

term 'Statistics has been derived from the German term "statistik. The German term is more political
than economic or social; there it means 'connected' with the state. When it is used in singular, means
"the science of the figure" and when it is used in plural, it means figures regarding population, nation
income, implements etc. It has been defined by the various social scientists in various ways.
According to Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 8th Ed.,:
"A collection of information shown in numbers."
According to Bowley: "Statistics is the science of measurement of social phenomenon regard as well
in all its manifestations, In fact, it is treated as the science of counting.
Descriptive Sta is a branch of statistics that Inferential sta It involves making inferences,
deals with summarizing and describing the predictions, or generalizations about a larger
main features of a dataset. It provides population based on data collected from a sample
methods for organizing, visualizing, and of that population. It extends the findings from a
presenting data meaningfully and informally. sample to the population from which the sample
Descriptive statistics describe the was drawn. It allow researchers to draw
characteristics of the data set under study conclusions, test hypotheses, and make predictions
without generalizing beyond the analyzed about populations, even when it is impractical or
data. impossible to study the entire population directly
Funcation / Merit/Importance
Roles * Oraganize & summarize data
*Statistics presents facts in a precise & definite form
*guide in how to collect data systemtically
*formaulation& implementation of suitable
*Enhance Objectivity
governmental policies
Limits *Special training required*
*aid in prediction
*Not suitable for deep study*
*simplifies Mass Figures
*Less Acuuracy
*Helps in formulation & testing of hypothesis

Analysis of data Tabulation presenting data

*The Editing the Weighing of through tables. “ orderly
Data arrangement of data in
*The classification of the Data columns as well as rows
*The codification of Data Aims * express data in least
*Interpretation of Data space * Make data
*Tabulating of Data compareable * time saving
*Generalisation *detection of error