Posts Tagged ‘Research’

Social Sciences: Scientific Research or Not? Part 1

Friday, November 25th, 2011


Prof. François Pichette, Téluq / Université du Québec à Montréal Quebec City. The question of what constitutes science has been debated for a long time in philosophy of science, where some actors even consider the matter pointless (eg, Auroux, 2000). However, increased regulations in research ethics in Canada have made the debate a concrete preoccupation. Research ethics regulators have had to define research (eg, TCPS, 1998; 2010) and consequently, in the course of their work, ethics committees in Canadian universities are compelled to reflect on whether projects submitted to them represent scientific research. Citing real cases, this paper presents three types of projects in social sciences that appear not to meet commonly accepted criteria for scientificity, all the while representing a majority of the projects involving human participants examined by the author over the last five years. The typical pattern of a purely qualitative study based on a very small number of participants is described, highlighting the frequent absence of hypothesis testing, hypothesis generation, variables, or systematicity. The paper raises again the question of applicability and/or generalizability of data as a criterion for determining the scientific nature of projects. It also suggests that social sciences, like natural sciences, can be either scientific or not, if this determination is based not on the topic that is investigated but on the way researchers investigate it.

Robert M. Kaplan: “Priorities for the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research”

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011


The UCLA Center for Health Policy Research’s 2010 seminar series present Dr. Robert M. Kaplan, professor in the School of Public Health and incoming director of the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.

Research in Social Sciences: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods

Monday, March 29th, 2010

Research in social sciences largely depends on measurements and analysis and interpretation of numerical figures and NGOs. Quantitative research focuses on the approaches and methods are based on statistical content analysis and qualitative comparative analysis, grounded theory, and (interpretation of Strauss, 1990). Emphasize quantitative methods for objective measurement and numerical analysis of data collected through surveys, questionnaires or surveys and qualitative research focuses on understanding social phenomena through interviews, personal comments, etc. Quantitative and qualitative methods are studied in the context of positivist and phenomenological paradigms (COM Papers4you., 2006).

The applications of research methods could be studied in the context of business and management or in social psychology to understand a social process. Some of the basic tools of research are related to qualitative or quantitative data collection methods that can be case studies, questionnaires or interviews (Simon et al, 1985). Research methods in the first management plan for the study of issues of leadership and leadership are examined in accordance with the theory of the emergence and organization theory. The effects of leadership are the most studied with the help of methods of qualitative or quantitative research and analysis of questionnaires sent to participants in leadership positions. The research methods are, however, not only focuses on management issues, but also the social process, for example, a study on the interactions between age, gender and physical activity. Some problems and possible failures of these methods may be related to abuse or misuse of interviewing techniques, inadequate methods of data collection and reliability. The methodological approach and data collection techniques are important in research and constitute an important aspect of the study (Simon, 1985). The case study approach is particularly useful in the analysis of business environments and perceptual mapping techniques are used for market research. Focus groups and surveys are used as other preferred methods of data collection, especially in work environments (COM Papers4you., 2006).

Interpretative research can be considered as an important aspect of qualitative analysis, although, as with all qualitative data, the subjective bias may be an obstacle to the validity of these approaches. In the study of research methodology, it is necessary to highlight the differences between qualitative and quantitative methods, although it has been argued that an integrated approach to social analysis could close the gap between quantitative and qualitative methods, both methods can be used for social research. In reality, there may be a research method as specified correctly each method seems to have its strengths and weaknesses, and these factors must be examined carefully before a particular method was selected and used to study a social process.

Bibliography

Champion, Dean J. (1981) Basic Statistics for Social Research / Dean J. Champion. 2nd ed. New York: Macmillan, London, Collier Macmillan

Papers For You (2006) “P/B/685. Qualitative research methods”, available http://www. coursework4you. co. uk/sprtdis18. htm [22/06/2006]

Papers For You (2006) “C/B/397. Critically evaluate and compare the advantages and limitations of the methods of qualitative and quantitative research. Use concrete examples to support his argument,” Available from Papers4you. com [21/06/2006]

Strauss, Anselm L. (1990), Basics of qualitative research: theory procedures and techniques, earth / Anselm Strauss and Juliet Corbin. Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications,

Simon, Julian Lincoln. (1985), the basic research methods in social sciences / Julian Simon, Paul Burstein, 3rd ed. McGraw-Hill,