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.
