Social Science Research MethodsPreparing for your culminating assignment

The Social Science Inquiry Model1)Questions2)Focus3)Formulate a Hypothesis4)Collect Data5)Assemble and Analyze Data6)Stop and Check7)Present Results8)Reflection

Social Science Inquiry Model

•Questions: begin with questions about a topic that interests you, that can be answered through investigation. Create a central research question

•Focus: Take notes about what you already know and research what has been previously learned.

Inquiry Method

•Hypothesis: Turn your question into a hypothesis

•Collect Data: select the research method that will provide the most relevant information to confirm your hypothesis

•Assemble and Analyze Data: organize your data into charts, graphs or another format that communicates your main ideas

Social Science Inquiry Model•Stop and Check: Have you collected

enough data?•Present results: Draw conclusions,

identify any limitations of your research, and make recommendations for next steps.

•Reflection: Reflect and evaluate your research process and results.

What is a hypothesis?•A possible answer or educated guess to a

social science problem; an assumption that guides the search for an answer to a problem

•Can be in the “If…then” format▫Ex. If teenagers buy lunch in a group, then

they are more likely to conform to the majority food choice.

•Can be a statement ▫Ex. Individual development is mainly

determined by genetics or heredity.

A good hypothesis is…

•A clear answer to the problem•It must be an answer that summarizes a

definitive view and that is supported by arguments and evidence

•Ex. Unsupervised television watching has a harmful effect on children’s attitudes towards sex and violence

•Ex. Television has a positive educational impact on young children

A bad hypothesis is…

•Not an answer•A problem or question, not a n answer•An unclear answer that cannot be proven•Ex. Children watch hours of violence on tv•Ex. Is television making children into

consumers for big business?•Ex. TV has an interesting impact on young

children everywhere

Research Method: Interviews Pros Cons

Flexible formatDirect AnswersTalk to subjects face to face, more personalCan receive most informationSubject doesn’t have to know how to read/writeCan discuss complex topicsInterviewer can question furtherHigh response rate

Small sample sizeTime consumingPeople may be shy, or feel uncomfortableSome may not cooperateInterviewer can affect the answers if not consistent, ask leading questions

Research Method: SurveysPros Cons

Large sample sizeQuick and easyAccurateDiverse sample size InexpensiveCan be administered remotelyPreciese

Lack of accountability, people can lieMight not fill it out, or fill it out incompletelyMay not want to disclose informationNo opportunity for subject elaborationLess opportunity for creativity

Research Method: ObservationPros Cons

Close contact to witness evidenceBigger pictureDo not need to interact with peopleSubjects do not feel pressuredDirect contact with subjectsReceive people’s natural reactionsDiverse forms of observationFlexibility in where and when it is carried out

VagueResearcher misunderstandingTime consumingMay not be consistentObserver BiasObserver effect (may act differently if someone watching)

Conducting ResearchObservations Trends/Patters/

IssuesReflections/Conclusions