This time, I would like to put together material on the process through which research in the social sciences is conducted.
Unlike natural science research, which studies matter through various experiments and development activities, social science research focuses on people and explains relationships among research hypotheses composed of conceptualized propositions and variables.
Social science research has limitations when it comes to laboratory research approaches. However, it uses empirical evidence to approach and explain social phenomena theoretically, and follows systematic procedures to substantiate these explanations in order to predict an uncertain future.
The Research Process in the Social Sciences
In broad terms, researchers in the social sciences conduct research in the following sequence: formulating hypotheses → selecting research methods → collecting data → interpreting results → reviewing → repeating the preceding process.
In this context, the usual 6-stage research process, from the beginning of research to its conclusion, is as follows.
Stage 1: Identifying the Research Problem
Which field of research are you interested in?
To choose a research topic, you must first use observation to determine which field to study and what to investigate.
If the scope of the research field is too broad, there will be too much literature and background information to review; if it is too narrow, it will be difficult to establish a research topic and design experiments.
It is therefore advisable to choose the research field and its topic after fully considering these advantages and disadvantages.
Stage 2: Reviewing and Analyzing Existing Literature
Find errors and discover new value
Reviewing existing literature is a process undertaken to check previous studies for errors and identify areas worth researching further.
Sometimes, a literature review reveals errors and shortcomings in previous research, which are then chosen as the research topic.
Stage 3: Formulating Research Hypotheses
OO will be OO / XX will not be XX
Next, testable predictions or conjectures based on experiments or the findings of a literature review are formulated as hypotheses.
Reasoning is used to formulate new or modified hypotheses, and an experimental environment is designed so that these hypotheses can be tested.
Deduction and induction are useful concepts to know in this context, and the material below may help.
Deduction and Induction Made Easy
Stage 4: Collecting Data
Let's find data to test the hypothesis
The data collection stage involves collecting data to determine whether the hypothesis formulated in the preceding stage is true or false. This may involve classifying existing data or obtaining new data through the experiments designed earlier.
Common ways to collect such data include measurement and observation using questionnaires, opinion polls, experiments, and data published by the government, research institutes, and similar sources.
Stage 5: Analyzing and Interpreting Data
Turning the collected data into meaningful information.
The data analysis and interpretation stage involves bringing the collected data together and putting it into a form that can be interpreted.
Analysis makes the data understandable and interpretable, while interpretation enables appropriate inferences and conclusions to be drawn from the results of the analysis.
Stage 6: Conclusions and Feedback
Has the hypothesis been verified? What results were obtained?
Finally, the conclusions obtained through Stage 5 (data analysis and interpretation) are presented, and feedback is received on them.
If a conclusion has not been properly reached, a new hypothesis is formulated or additional data is collected, and feedback is received. This process is then repeated until satisfactory results are obtained.
We have now explored the research process in the social sciences. The 6-stage process described above does not always have to follow this order, and the procedures may vary depending on the purpose of the research.
For example, for an opinion poll, it is best to simplify the procedures as much as possible, while studying social issues in depth requires careful attention at various stages to reduce bias or errors in the research.
