Research in Social Science

Research in Social Science

Two types of research

Empirical Laws

Philosophy of Science (3 views)

Research Wheel

Stages in Research

Ethics in research

Research in Social Science

Two Types of Research

1. Quantitative Research

2. Qualitative Research

Research in Social Science

Qualities of Empirical (Scientific) Laws:

1. Universal

2. Based on Observation

3. Causal Explanations

Research in Social Science

However there is a difference:

Social Science cannot state causes with certainty, only

with probability.

Logical PositivismFounded by the Vienna Circle

Logical Positivism

Positivism: Positive (not speculative) knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties verified by empirical science

Logical Positivism: a 20th Century philosophical movement that holds that meaningful statements about the natural world are true only if verified by observation and experiment

OperationalismFounded by

Percy Bridgeman1882-1961

PragmatismFounded by

William James1842-1910

Research Wheel

Theory

Experiment

Data Hypothesis

DeductionInduction

Steps in Research

1. Choose a Topic

2. Define Important Terms

3. Research Background of Topic

4. Generate Hypotheses

5. Choose the Research Design

6. Analyze the Data

7. Report Results and Conclusion

Research Methods

Descriptive

Relational/Correlational

Experimental

Research Methods

Survey

Observational Study

Case Study

Experiment

Secondary data analysis

Research Methods

Ethics in Research

Institutional Review Board

Major Ethical Rules

Ethical RulesOrigins

Ethical Rules

Voluntary Participation

Ethical Rules

Informed Consent

Ethical Rules

Anonymity

Ethical Rules

No Harm

Ethical Rules

Debriefing

Classic Study: Solomon Asch

Conformity Experiment

AnotherConformity Experiment

Classic Study1962 – Yale UnivStanley Milgram

Obedience to Authority Study

Origination of idea

Goal

Ethical Problems

Stanley Milgram1933-1984

Experiment Layout

Classic Study1970 – Southern Illinois Univ

Laud Humphreys

Tearoom Trade

Origination of idea

Goal

Ethical Problems

Classic StudyLaud Humphreys

1930-1988

Classic Study1971 – Stanford Univ

Philip Zimbardo

Prison Study

Origination of idea

Goal

Ethical Problems

Classic StudyStanford Prison Experiment

Philip Zimbardob 1933

Classic StudyStanford Prison Experiment

Classic Studies

Film

1995 UCI Fertility Scandal

• egg & embryo misuse • harvested eggs from women and transferred embryos without consent • illegally billed insurance companies• cheated UCI out of money owed the university • at least 65 women were unknowingly involved in illicit egg or embryo transfers

The doctors forged consent forms, stole human eggs from patients and gave them to other clinic patients without consent, then deliberately lied about the number of eggs they had harvested from each woman.