Description of the general research process in social sciences

1. Research
in
Social Sciences
------------
General Process
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan,
Department of Education,
Hazara University
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

2. General Research Process in Social
Sciences
Research
Problem
Identification
Research
Question(s)
Review of
literature
Refinement of
Research
Question(s)
Research
Design
Formulation
Implementatio
n of research
design/Data
collection
Data Analysis
Findings/concl
usions
Report writing
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

3. Research Problem Identification
• One of the most crucial steps in the research process
• What is it that you want to explore?
• Personal, professional and academic rationale?
• Initial reading, previous experiences, discussions
• Example: Reflection: Meaning and implementation
• Various definitions and implementation practices
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

4. Research Question(s)
• What aspects of the research problem are being
explored?
• Turning the problem/issue into broader research
question(s)
• Example: What is the nature, meaning and scope of
reflection in educational programmes?
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

5. Review of literature
• Exploring literature to have insights into the various aspects
of the topic under study
• Analysis of the various views, models of the topic in a variety
of fields/areas
• Foundational to current sources
• Example: A variety of definitions and connotations of the
term ‘reflection’ in teacher education
• A multitude of factors impacting its connotation and
implementation
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

6. Research Questions/aims specification
• More nuanced, specialized understanding
• Reformulation/refinement of research questions
• From more general to more specific (further delimitation)
• Example:
• What are the perceptions of university teachers regarding the
connotation and implementation of REFLECTION as a TEACHER
EDUCATION concept?
• What factors impact the connotation and implementation of
reflection in Teacher Education programmes?
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

7. Research Design
formulation/implementation
• Design:
• Reflecting on the possibility of a research design choice
• Nature of the research problem
• Practical realities (Time, resources, skills, previous studies)
• Fitness for purpose
• Types/nature of data and data sources
• Implementation:
• Site and sample selection, Access, Data collection,
validity/reliability issues
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

8. Data Analysis
• Depends on the nature of research
• Qualitative:
• Ongoing/reiterative/inductive process
• Thematic analysis
• Quantitative:
• At the end of data collection process in general
• Statistical analysis
• Mixed Methods:
• A combination of Quant and Qual data analysis processes
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

9. Findings, conclusions and
recommendations
• Generally research studies are aimed at getting to some
conclusions based on findings
• Conclusions subsequently lead to recommendations and
suggestions for further studies
• Findings and conclusions are often with reference to the
research objectives/questions
• Need to be critically analysed
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra