This document discusses scientific social science research and the scientific method. It explains that social science research refers to the scientific study of human behavior and interaction. The scientific method relies on evidence, concepts, objectivity, and logical reasoning processes like induction and deduction. Induction involves studying individual cases to draw generalizations, while deduction applies general principles to specific cases. For research to be considered scientific, it must follow a systematic process including defining the problem, formulating hypotheses, collecting quantitative data, stating clear generalizations, and fully reporting the research process and methods of analysis.

1. Scientific Social
Science Research

2. If we knew what we were doing, it would not be
called research, would it? —Albert Einstein

3. Social science research
Social science research ─ refers to any
scientific study of human action and
interaction focusing on elements of thought
and behavior that are in some sense social.

4. Scientific method and
research
Scientific method is a systematic step-by-
step procedure following the logical process
of reasoning.
Scientific research is one which have a body
of science and follows Scientific method.

5. Basis of scientific method
 Reliance on evidence.
 Use of concepts.
 Commitment to objectivity.
 Ethical neutrality.

6.  Generalization.
 Verifiability.
 Logical reasoning process.
*Induction
*Deduction

7. Logical reasoning process
Induction:
 The inductive method consists of studying several
individual cases and drawing generalization.
 This method is followed when new facts are studied,
new truths are uncovered and new generalizations are
formulated from a research project.

8. Essential condition for Induction
 Observation must be correctly performed and recorded, data collected
should be accurate.
 Observation must cover representative cases drawn from specific
universe.
 Observation must cover an adequate number of cases.
 Conclusion must be confined to inferences drawn from the findings

9. Types of induction
 Enumerative Induction.
The most common in social science research,
involves generalization from samples.
 Analytic Induction.
Involves case-by-case analysis of specific
features or step-by-step analysis.

10. Procedure analytic induction
 Define the phenomenon.
 Formulate the hypothesis.
 Study a case whether hypothesis fits in the case.
 If does not fit, redefine the hypothesis.

11.  Examine a small number of cases to attain certainty, if uncertain
reformulate the hypothesis.
 Continue this till a universal relationship is established.
 For the purpose of proof examine outside the circumstances to
determine hypothesis applies to them.

12. Deduction
Deduction is reasoning process of applying a general
accepted principle to a specific individual case falling
under the general principle.
Essential Conditions
*The general rule or assumption must be correct.
*The general rule must be applied only to cases which
properly fall under it.

13. Requisites of Scientific Method
 Careful logical analysis of the problem, formulating hypothesis.
 Clarity in definitions and concepts.
 Collection of data.
 Expression of variables in quantitative terms.

14.  Specific and clear statement of generalizations.
 Complete and careful reporting of the research process,
definitions and methods of analysis.

15. Reference
 Methodology of Research in Social Sciences.
Dr O R Krishnaswami
Himalaya Publishing House
2001
 Social Science Research : Principles, Methods and Practices
PDF .
Anol Bhattacherjee, Ph.D.
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida, USA
abhatt@usf.edu
Second Edition 2012

16. THANK YOU

17. sreenathb9@gmail.com
slideshare.net/sreenathb