The presentation is about the nature of Social Research

1. The nature and process
of social research
Ibrahim Koncak

2. The Context of Social Research methods
• The role of theory
• The role of values
• The significance of assumptions
• The ways in which political contributions may materialize in social research

3. The elements of Social Research Practice
• Literature review
• Concepts and theories
• Research questions
• Sampling of cases
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Writing up of the research findings

4. The messiness of Social Research
• The social research often does not conform to a neat linear process
• Researchers may find themselves facing unexpected contingencies and
difficulties
 Solution; A familiarity with the nature of the research process and its
principles is crucial to navigate thorough the unexpected.

5. Pitfalls &Gains
• Failing to match research questions to research methods
• Asking ambiguous questions in questionnaires
• Engaging in practices that are ethically dubious
 Understanding of social research methods in important as being a consumer of
published research.
 A good grounding in the research process and a knowledge of the potential pitfalls can
be critically important when reading the research of the others.

6. Why do Social Research?
• Curiosity
• Noticing a gap in the literature
• A development in society
• Multiple reasons
• An aspect of our understanding of what goes on in society

7. Factors in Social Research
• Theories ( what is searched and how interpreted):
• research gets affected and contributes to the theory
• Existing knowledge about the area
• literature review (chapter 5 and chapter 29)
• Relationship btw theory and research theory at the beginning or outcome of the research process
• Scientific approach
• Hypothesis formulated and tested, epistemological debate (Chapter 2)
• The nature of social phenomena
• Social world is external actors or constant process of reformulation and reassessment ( ontological debate) (Chapter 2)
• The values of the research community
• Ethical issues
• Those being researched should be involved in the research process
• Questionnaire should be prepared with the involvement of service users

8. What research is for?
• Practical purpose, make a difference
• Focus on topics and issues that will have implications for practice
• Evolution and active research;
• With implications for people’s everyday lives
• Potential value policy and practice
• Accumulation of knowledge ( Chapter 3, Chapter 17)

9. Social research within a wider political context
• Founded by government bodies
• If research has applied focus, users should be involved.
• The training and personal values of the researcher cannot be ignored.
• Influence the research area, the research question, and the methods employed.

10. Questions

12. Types of research questions
1 Predicting an outcome ( does Y happen under circumstances A and B ? )
2 Explaining causes and consequences ( is Y affected by X or is Y a consequence of X?
3 Evaluating a phenomenon ( does Y exhibit the benefits that it is claimed to have?)
4 Describing a phenomenon ( what is Y like or what form does Y assume?)
5 Developing good practice ( how can we improve Y?)
6 Empowerment ( how can we enhance the lives of those we research?)
7 Comparison ( do A and B differ in respect of X)