RESEARCH METH

ODS

“Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.”

-Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

HISTORY OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

A founder of the scientific method, Ibn al-Haytham declared that “Truth is sought for its own sake. And those who are engaged upon the quest for anything for its own sake are not interested in other things. Finding the truth is difficult, and the road to it is rough.” Research can be painstaking at times, but its importance in the social sciences is indisputable.

THIS IS MADNESS, YET THERE IS METHOD TO IT…Social scientists use a complex (sometime contradictory) methodology to

construct and explore their theories. Depending on what is being studied, the ways social scientists go about discovering and proving their theories varies considerably.

For example, implementing research for anthropology, psychology, and sociology would be quite different.  All three of our Ology-teers are using different methods to discover data.  However, despite their best intentions and preparation, as with any good scientist, they have to be willing to: a) reject their findings; b) reject or modify their hypothesis; and/or c) repeat their research as the situation dictates.

Of course, that’s assuming Anthro doesn’t dig himself too deep, Psyche doesn’t become a couch potato, and Socio can ever get out of that crowd…

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Fortunately, while the methodologies may vary, the scientific method is a fairly standardized approach.  Through its application, researchers can test their theories and modify their hypotheses accordingly.  Not only does this contribute to a stronger argument, but also it provides validity to the study and subject matter. 

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

The scientific method operates in steps:  

1. Identify a problem or a question

2. Develop a Hypothesis

3. Gather Data

4. Analyze the Data

5. Draw Conclusions

CRAFTING A HYPOTHESIS

An hypothesis is an educated guess that proposes a possible explanation.  An hypothesis should be testable and must contain an independent and dependant variable. An independent variable, which is expressed first, is the variable that changes during the experiment. The dependant variable changes in response to the experiment conditions created by the independent variable

.For example, “If I add another fast food court in the mall [independent variable] then I will triple the number of customers [dependent variable]."  Notice the If (independent variable)…Then (dependant variable) format.

BEWARE OF SANDY AND DANNY

Despite anyone’s best intentions, it is nearly impossible to escape bias.  Simply, bias occurs when preference for something overshadows something else.  For example, you might like red-heads better than brunettes, and so you might be more likely to listen to a red-head’s opinion. 

Eliminating bias from research entirely is nearly impossible (after all, you yourself might not even recognize your bias).  However, a good researcher tries to reduce bias as much as possible, especially with regards to affecting their experiment’s outcome(s).  One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is through repetition and group work.  After all, repeating experiments provides more data while working with a team offers alternative perspectives. 

However, good researchers must also be wary of bias when reading other people’s ideas, especially since a lot of the information social scientists (and you) use fit this category.  Identifying bias becomes easier with practice, so on that note…

SURVEY SAYS….

Social science surveys are most often questionnaires designed to gather responses from participants.  Surveys vary widely in their size and scope.  Surveys can be designed to gather simple numerical data (for example, the number of males aged 15-20) or detailed anecdotal evidence (for example, your experiences writing exams), and everything in-between. Writing a good survey can be difficult and time consuming. 

However, this is time well spent since it helps to ensure your data is valid (after all, what’s the point in going to the trouble of surveying people and correlating data if the answers are unusable?)

SURVEY SAYS……When designing a survey you need to

consider many things, including:

1.Purpose –how does your survey operate within your hypothesis?

2.Scope – who and how many people will be surveyed?

3.Questions - what types, order and number will there be?

4.Bias – has it been reasonably eliminated?

5.Anonymity / Privacy – will participants give their biographical information, and if so, how will it be used / protected

6.?Use – how will the survey results be utilized?

7.Validity – will the survey collect authentic, relevant data?

APA IS THE WAYAPA (American Psychological Association) is the citation method used

by the majority of the social sciences.  Citation (giving credit for other people’s work and ideas) is necessary to avoid plagiarism. 

However, proper citation does more than ensure you don’t fail your assignments; it also acts as the ethical glue that binds the social sciences today.

You see, rarely do social scientists operate in a vacuum.  Rather, they form a complex, and at times chaotic, web of idea and data sharing.  The benefit to this is obvious – multiple people working together for a common good.  However, you can probably see the downside too – cheating and misinterpretation.  And because a social scientist’s name is his academic currency, getting credit is crucial (after all, how many pop stars release anonymous albums??).

Consider it this way: think back to the last group project you did.  You probably enjoyed the benefit of so many different minds and hands, but probably didn’t enjoy the one person who slacked off yet received the same credit and mark!

GROUP WORK – 10 MINUTES

Which research method would you use to test each of the following hypotheses? Give reasons for your choices.

• teenagers have more leisure time than their parents

• teachers ask more questions of the students in the front of the class than at the back

• over 75% of students you meet in the halls at school will return a smile

• all school facilities are wheelchair accessible

• students in the cafeteria tend to sit with people of the same culture

• students who sit in the front of the class get better grades than those who sit in the back

• girls in secondary school get better grades than boys

GROUP WORK!!!! - 10 MINUTES

Develop a hypothesis for each of the following questions. Suggest a research method that would be most appropriate for testing your hypothesis in each case. Why did you choose those particular methods?• will students work harder for marks or for free time?

• does more education bring higher income?

• are women better drivers than men?

• are older or younger students more willing to follow school rules?

• do Canadian t.v. shows reflect the culture and diversity of Canada?

• do most seniors in your community live independently, or with their families or in retirement homes?

• do parents allows daughters less freedom than their sons?

• is there a relationship between school grades and having a part time job?