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Evolution of the theories of social science and their

functions

KIM Sedara, Ph.D.

Sept 2013

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Contents

1. About Social Science2. Reflexive Methodology3. Preparing for Research and

Design4. Data Collection5. Data Analysis6. Dissemination and Publication

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About Social ScienceSocial science seeks to understand human

thought and behavior. Our lives are profoundly affected by the Social Sciences.

Seeks insights and patterns, Confront ideas with experiences and analysis.

Empirically oriented research? Objective reality (social fact)? OR Exploring people’s subjective or inter-subjective experiential

worlds (meanings) (Alvesson and Skoldberg: 2004).

• Academic vs Applied Research

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Types of Research• Science must be guided by

values/visions and take possible action into account.

• Inductive vs Deductive approach• VETA = Knowledge = Value/vision,

Empirical, Theory, and Action.

1. Methodological Study2. Technical Study: How can we measure

development?

E T

V A=

Scientific(exact)

Social / PoliticalScience

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3. Theoretical Study: E T, or T T, V T

A T (What is best theory to guide research?)

4. Normative/Empirical study: Hypothesis testing ( T E T).

5. Exploratory Study: Inductivist/grounded theory (E T).

6. Action Research: V A or T E

7. Evaluation Research: A E V

8. Descriptive Study: E

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Reflexive Methodology

• Philosophy, Economics, Political Science, Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, History…

• Classical Thinkers and Meta theory: Hobbes/Locke, Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, Spencer, S Freud, A Smith, Comte.

• Theo = God and Ry = inspiration. Theory = Divine Inspiration.

• Theory is about hypothesis formulating, make it more systematic. It starts from concept to preposition = theory formulation but concept must be explained by definitions or conceptual analysis. Normative theory and Positive theory (How things are? With value demises of statement.

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HermeneuticSubjectivistInternal

PositivisticEmpirical/objectivisticExternal

Individual

Collective

Psychic(Freud / Wilber)

Economic Polity(Smith / Hobbes)

Culture(Weber)

Society(Marx / Parsons /Durkheim)

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Community Systemmedium : influence/statusnationlegal systemcivil society

I - function

pro

tect

ion

red

istr

ibu

tion

Su

pp

ort

/ dem

and

s

Ideas / values

Loyalty

Tax

Regulation

Political Systemmedium : authority/powerbureaucracystate/police/militaryparty parliament

G - function

normsleg

itimatio

n

Economic Systemmedium : moneyMarketEnterprise

A - function

Fiduciary Systemmedium : valuecomplimenthouseholdschoolchurch

L - function

Sk

ill l

abou

r

Goo

ds

/ wag

es

Sol

idar

ity

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Social system: A = Adaptation (economy), L = Latency (culture), G = Goal Attainment (polity), I = Integration (Societal)

Preparing for Research and Design

• Research Problem Methods Data Collection and Analysis Support or Reject Hypothesis/Theory.

• Personal Interest• Literature search• Science vs Nonscience• Resources• Time• People

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A Guide to research topics1) The nature-nurture problem2) The evolution problem3) The internal-external problem4) The social facts or emergent properties,

problem.

Data Collection• Unstructured interview• Semi-structured interview• Informal participation observation• Focused group• Structured interview, survey questionnaire

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•Participation Observation: turns the field workers into instruments of data collection and data analysis. It involves establishing and learning to act so that people go about their business as usual when you show up.

•Selection of informants—key informants

•Note taking: jotting down, the diary, the log, and the note.

•The note: methodological notes; substantive/descriptive note; analytic note

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Thank You