Scientific Research Methods
A review
Prepared by: G. Bent
The Scientific
Research Process
A theory
A theory is a statement that explain and predicts a
phenomenon ( Kerlinger, 1986)
Example of a hypothesis in research
This study is designed to assess the hypothesis
that sleep-deprived people will perform worse
on a test than individuals who are not
sleep-deprived.
Scientific Principles Hypothesis: a proposition made as a basis for reasoning,
without any assumption of its truth ( Oxford Dictionary )
of Research; in other words it is an assumption or hunch about a
phenomenon that needs further investigation
Concepts "the hypothesis that every event has a cause"
Another definition for hypothesis is proposed
explanation for a phenomenon. For a hypothesis to be a
scientific hypothesis, the scientific method requires that
one can test it. Scientists generally base scientific
hypotheses on previous observations that cannot
satisfactorily be explained with the available scientific
theories
A hypothesis should :
-
- Explain what you expect to happen
- Be clear and understandable
- Testible
- Be measurable
- Onatin a independable and a dependable variable
Variables ( elements )
Independent variables ( independent )
A hypothesis also have independent and dependent
variables.
An independent variable is one that is controlled or
manipulated during an experiment to observe how it
affects others. In other words An independent
variables is the variable you think is the cause
Dependent variables ( dependent )
A dependent variable is one that changes as a result of
changes in other things.
In other words A dependent variable is the variable
with “ the effect:"
You do..
Examine the hypothesis below and identify the independent
and dependable variables
This study is designed to assess the hypothesis
that “sleep-deprived people will perform worse
on a test than individuals who are not
sleep-deprived”.
Positivist Method ( scientific)
Positivism employs methods that are very scientific and produces quantitative
findings ( stephensons 1998). The scientific method adopted by positivists
Hypothetico- deductive method. This method comprises of several stages;
1. Forming an hypothesis
2. Testing an hypothesis
3. Obtaining evidence by collecting data
4. Analysing the data
5. Confirming or rejecting the hypothesis
You do Example # 2
“ Theuse of audio- visual materials boosts students
achievement in school.”
Identify the dependent and independent variables
in the hypothesis above
Pg. 49
Correlations and Causation
Positivists sociologists also seeks to discover relationships in his/her
studies. The example above of audio visual and students achievement
shows a lin that can be established as other contributory factors such
as teaching techniques can contribute to students achievement.
Concepts
correlation: the relationship or association of one variable with
another.
control group:? The group that receives n special special stimuli and is
treated normally.
Experimental group: the group on which experimental procedures are
performed
Variable: a characteristics that can be measured and is subject to change
Multivariate analysis : is used to minimise the possibility of making spurious
correlations . when there are several variables that affect a phenomenon,
the researcher can determine which one has the strongest effect.
Causation: the explanation of factors that may have contributed to a result
Scientific research video
https://youtu.be/yi0hwFDQTSQ
Interpretivism
They are anti positivists, they emphasise on the importance of
meaning in social action. . Weber defined sociology as a science
which attempts the interpretivists understanding of social
action in order thereby to arrive at a causal explanation of its
cause and effects . However, for interpretivists, social action
cannot be understood using natural scientific methods.
Individuals have a consciousness that is subjective and cannot
be quantified. Interpretivists use descriptive ( descriptions ) not
statistical data
Positivism and Interpretivism : a summary
Positivism Interpretivism
Social facts Understanding actions, meaning and
motives
Reliability validity
Focus on observation Need to understand how human interest
meaning
Macro Micro
Research conducted from the outside Personal involvement of the researcher
Quantifiable , numerical Rich in dept data
Reliability and Validity
The research is reliable if it produces consistent result
when the same method are used repeatedly.
Validity refers to the accuracy of the description or
measurement. . both positivist and interpretivists aim
for validity.
Quantitative and Qualitative Research methods
Quantitative research methods are methods that result mainly
in quantitative data. They preferred by positivists , data can be
demonstrated in numerical, percentages, tables tec. It usually
use primary and secondary sources of data such as
questionnaires, interviews, official statistics and analysed in a
systematic way. Quantitative research is linear
eg. hypothesis/theory- literature review- definition of
concept-sampling-data collection-discussion of findings.
It is preferred by positivists as it can be tested, measurable, data can be
analyzed, conclusion can be made.
Qualitative methods
Are those methods that are preferred by interpretivists. Qualitative provide
rich, thick descriptive data - more in depth and detailed. It is preferred by
intertivists because it:
Tap into feelings and meanings , data is more realistic and valid, methods are
more ;personal
Sampling
Sampling ( a sample ) is a representation of the population. A sampling unit is
usually any individual who form part of a sample.
How do you find your sampling unit?
Population - sampling frame ( list from which the sample is drawn eg. registes)
- sample- sampling unit
Probability and non probability sampling
Sampling forms under two broad categories: probability and nonprobability
Probability Non probability
Subjects are selected using random Uses subjects that are available rather than
sampling procedures by a selection process
Each member of the population has a equal Members do not have an equal chance of
chance of being selected being selected
Preferred by positivists Used by interpretivists
Eg. simple random, stratified random , Eg. opportunity, quota sampling, snow ball
sampling
Might not be representative of the
population
Data Collection Methods
Type Quantitative Qualitative
( positivists ) ( interpretivist )
Primary sources Exoerimwnts Unstructured
interviews
Questionnaires Participants
observation
Structured Case studies
interviews
Non participant
observation
Secondary sources Official statistics Diaries , letters
YOU DO : Exam Practice Question
1. Assess the strengths and limitation of the different kinds of qualitative
techniques used in sociology
2. Sociologists have very different goals in mind when they investigate a
problem than journalists or talk show hosts…. This will certainly limit the
choice of topics as well as the manner in which an issue is investigated.
a. State one reason why the goals in mind of a sociologists may differ from
those of a journalist or talk show host when they investigate a problem.
b. Identify three measures that can be adopted by sociologists to avoid nias
in research
c. State two difficulties or challenges encounter by sociologists in conducting
research
3. The act of conducting research often involves the selection of samples. Samples are not always
representative of the population from which they are drawn.
a. Define the term representative sample
b. Define the term probability sampling
c. Give two examples of non probability sampling techniques
d. Briefly explain why quantitative researchers utilize sampling
4. Name the sociologist who gave the discipline of sociology its name
B. state the three stages of progress through which societies evolve as identified by the scholar named in
a.
Identify two methods of observation used in sociological research
Briefly explain how natural science methods have been in sociological research ( analze, accuracy,
reliabilty, validity, objectivity, systematic
