An Introduction to METHODOLOGY in Social Sciences

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An Introduction to METHODOLOGY in Social
Sciences
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Methodology is

• The study of methods, it deals with the
  philosophical assumptions underlying the research
  process.
• A reflection of your view of an academic problem
  - Ontology
• An explicit argument for your choice of
  theoretical framework - Epistemology

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Method is

• A specific technique for data collection under
  certain philosophical assumptions.

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Academic Research Problem
Prob Form
Empirical (Method)
Theory
Method ology
Analysis
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Ontology is..

• A branch of philosophy concerned with the
  ultimate nature of existence

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Epistemology is..

• the branch of philosophy that is directed toward
  theories of the sources, nature, and limits of
  knowledge.
• Includes the method for gathering data and
  obtaining knowledge

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Positivism..

• Realist or determinist cause and effect laws
• Objective observer
• Experimental under carefully controlled
  conditions

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Interpretive/Hermenutic..

• Relativism- knowledge is relative to the
  observer
• Subjective observer
• Hermeneutic/interpretivism - data consists of
  description

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Positivist vs. Interpretive

• Positivist
• examining exterior data, what and when changes
  occur
• viewing societal trends and changes limited in
  its perceptions and can best be used for
  determining when and to what extent groups in the
  society interact
• Interpretivist/Hermenutic
• examining interior, how and why changes occur
• allows for communication with the cultural
  background of a situation

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Qualitative vs. Quantitative

• Quantitative methods are associated with
  empirical, positivist research
• Statistical analysis, describing pop. samples
• Qualitative research is associated with
  anti-positivist philosophies, such as
  interpretivism, ethnography, etc.
• Textual records

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Positivist Time parents are in church
compared to of child brides Hypothesis
higher of girl-children become child brides if
their parents were more active in the religion
Empirical Data Survey conducted, data gathered
and tested against hypothesisConclusion data
confirmed hypothesis, therefore the more active
the parents, the more likely that the child would
participate in the ritual.
Positivist vs. InterpretiveMormon Child Brides
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Positivist vs. InterpretiveMormon Child Brides

• Interpretive Approach
• Examine why the girl-child was considered
  suitable to be a bride and what the union meant
  to the participants
• Empirical Data Qualitative Interviews
• Conclusion would be that the unions were carried
  out under the guise of being blessed by God in
  their after life and acted as a right of passage
  for a girl-child.

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The Fundamental Method

• All research depends upon observation
• Observation may be direct
• Researcher as observer, collecting data,
  recording info (primary sources)
• Observation may be indirect
• Researcher must rely on reported observations,
  (secondary sources)

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Choice of Method

• Researcher must choose a philosophical approach
  (ex. positivistic or interpretative) within which
  to work, and must then determine which method is
  most appropriate for the kind of data they wish
  to collect

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Methodology Section must include..

• An explicit argument for your choice of theory
• An explanation of your Empirical Data
• Ex. Secondary sources
• Electronic Resources
• Statistical data
• Ex. Primary resources (collection)
• Questionnaires
• Surveys