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Research Methodology
for Social Science and
Business
Dr. Syed Tarique Imam
IDEA PUBLISHING WWW.ideapublishing.in
ii
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Printed in India
iii
About The Author
X Dr. Syed Tarique Imam (M.Com., M.Phil., Ph.D.
and NET) has 23 years of Teaching Experience at
U.G. and P.G. Level. He is teaching the subject
Research Methodology at M.Com. level for the
last 15 years. He is a member of B.O.S. (Board of
Studies) in the subject Statistics and Computer
Application at Savitribai Phule Pune University
(SPPU) and H.O.D. for Statistics, Computer
Application and Mathematics in the Department of Commerce at Poona
College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Camp, Pune – 411 001 (M.S.)
He has ample Research Experience and has been actively participating in
National and International Conferences as a Paper Presenter, Discussant,
Rapporteur and organizer. He has also been a Research Guide for M.Phil.
and Ph.D. at Savitribai Phule Pune University. He also evaluated the
Ph.D. thesis of other Universities.
X
iv
About The Book
X The research scholar must be well versed with the research methodology
in order to do the good research work.
The quality and productivity of the research work very much depends on
the competency of the research scholar.Therefore it is essential that the
competency must be generated and nurtured among the researcher from
the beginning of their research career.
This book is a handiwork and meant for the beginner of the research to
understand various concept of the research methodology and learning the
art of doing the quality and quantitative research studies in social
sciences and business.
KEY FEATURE
Systematic and logical organisation of subject matter providing step by
step description og research methodology for conducting the research
studies
X
v
CONTENT
X CHAPTER PAGE NO.
PART – 1
1 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL
RESEARCH 3-42
Meaning Of Social Research 3
Purpose Of Social Research 7
Area Of Social Research 9
Scope Of Social Research 11
Qualities Of A Good Research
Worker 13
Scientific Methods 17
Type Of Research 34
2 RESEARCH DESIGH 43-64
Meaning Of Social Research 43
Function / Goals Of Research Design 45
Characteristics Of Good Research
Design 47
Step In Research Designing 49
Design For Different Type Of
Research 51
vi
Advantage Of Designing Research 64
3 SELECTION OF RESEARCH
PROBLEM 65-88
Intoduction 65
Selection Of Research Topic 66
Focus On Specific Aspects For
Analysis 70
Hypothesis In Social Research 73
Operationalising Concept 84
Formulating Research Question 85
4 TOOLS AND METHODS OF DATA
COLLECTION 89-154
Type And Sources Of Data 89
Observation 95
Interview Method 113
Questionnaire 116
Schedule Method 125
Sampling Method 130
5 METHOD OF STUDY 155-192
Survey 155
Case Study Method 172
Content Analysis 181
6 ANALYSIS AND
INTERPRETATION OF DATA 193-220
vii
Analysis And Interpretation Of Data 193
Importance Of Interpretation And
Analysis 194
Process Of Interpretation 195
Methods Of Generalization 202
Importance Of Generalization 202
Method Of Generalization 202
Generalization And Scientific Law 209
Preparation Report 214
PART – 2
1 STATISTICAL METHOD 223-234
Statistical Method 223
Characteristics Of Statistical Method 224
Basic Of Statistical Analysis 225
Functions Of Statistics 227
Process Of Statistical Research 229
Importance Of Statistical Method In
Social Research
230
Limitation Of Statistical Method 232
2 COLLECTION AND
CLASSIFICATION OF DATA 235-244
Collection And Classification Of
Data 235
Objectives Of Classification 236
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Characteristics Of The Classification 237
Basic Of Classification 238
Type Of Classification 239
Statistical Series 241
Difference Between And Continuos
Series 243
3 MEASURES OF CENTRAL
TENDENCY AND DISPERSION 245-266
Measures Of Central Tendency 245
Mean And Method Of Its Calculation 247
Median 248
Mode 255
Measures Of Dispersion 260
Skewness 264
Kurtosis 265
4 CORRELATION AND
ASSOCIATION OF ATTRIBUTES 267-280
Correlation 267
Type Of Correlation 268
Measurement Of Correlation 269
Association Of Attributes 277
Determination Of Association 279
5 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE 281-288
Random Sampling 281
ix
Stratified Sampling Method 284
6 PROJECTIVE TECHNIQUES AND
TESTS 289-296
Projective Techniques 289
Characteristics Of Projective
Technique 291
Type Of Projective Measures 291
Limitations Of Projective Tests 294
Uses Of Projective Techniques 295
7 PROGRESS OF RESEARCH IN
INDIA 297-314
Application Of Research Findings 297
Trends Of Social Research In India 303
1
PART-1
2
3
Chapter Objective:
Meaning of research in social sciences,
Purpose of research in social work,
Areas of research,
Scope,
Scientific method.
Its limitations.
Types of research: pure, applied, basic, action.
1. Meaning of Social Research :
In the present age, social sciences are assuming a scientific method of
study. For this method ‘research’ is an important factor. In the last two or
three decades, social research has become an important subject of the
curriculum of sociology. In fact in almost all the universities, where
sociology is taught, social research is a part of the curriculum of the
sociology. Social research has, therefore, assumed greater importance.
Apart from it, for proper understanding of the society and proper
collection and analysis of social facts, the social research is an
effective method. Research and its techniques are helpful in
finding further knowledge about the subject. Through research only it
has been possible to make progress and reach further. It is a part of
man’s nature. The important saying goes, ‘necessity is the mother of
Chapter -1
Introduction to Social
Research
Research Methodology For Social Science and Business
4
invention‟ and invention is the result of research. So long as necessity
exists, the research shall be there. Social sciences and particularly
sociology has come to occupy an important place for us. If we want to
acquire knowledge about social facts, we shall have to employ scientific
methods and it is there that „social research‟ comes into picture.
Social research has been defined into different ways:
P. V. Young — “Social research may be defined as a scientific
undertaking which, by means of logical and systematized
techniques aims to: (1) Discover new facts or verify and test old
facts; (2) Ana¬lyse their sequences, inter-relationships, and
causal explanations which are derived within an appropriate
theoretical frame of refe¬rence: (3) Develop new scientific tools,
concepts and theories which would facilitate reliable and valid
study of human behaviour.”
E. S. Bogardus — “Social research is the investigation of the
underlying processes operative in the lives of persons who are in
association.”
W. S. Monero — “Research may be defined as a method of
studying problems whose solutions are „to be derived partly or
wholly from facts.”
Apart from these definitions, Marry, Stephenson, Red Mann, and
others have also defined social research as an effort to acquire new
knowledge. In fact, research is an organised effort to acquire new
knowledge. It is based on the past experience and past knowledge. The
richer the past knowledge, greater the surety of the results. Since
sociology is assuming a scientific base, research has become a part of
study, but it is not an easy task to predict social behaviour because
the human nature is ever changing.
Dr. Syed Tarique Imam
5
On the basis of the above definition the following characteristics of
social research may be deduced.
1) Social research deals with the social phenomena. It studies
behaviour of human beings as members of society, and their
feelings responses, attitudes under different circumstances.
2) Social research is carried on both for discovering new facts and
verification of the old ones. The object of every science, of
course, is the discovery of new facts, new relationships, and
new laws governing the phenomena. But constant verification
of the old concepts is also needed, specially, in case of dynamic
sciences. Verification is needed because of two reasons. Firstly
there may be an improvement in the technique of research and it
is necessary to test the old concepts by this improved technique.
Secondly the phenomena under study might have undergone a
change and it may be required to test their validity of old
concepts in the change circumstances. In Sociology a lot of
research is being carried on for both purposes and has resulted
in the discovery of new facts as well modification of old
concepts.
3) Social research tries to establish casual connection between
various human activities. It is really very interesting to note
whether various complex human activities, are being performed
only at random without any sequence, law or system behind
them. At the first casual look at varied human behaviours,
attitudes, moods and temperaments, the presence of any system
may appear to be an impossibility, but a close and patient study
of different cases their scientific analysis and comparison and
logical interpretation is bound to disclose the truth, that most of
them are not merely haphazard as they appear but motivated by
definite rules, perfect systems and universal laws. The main
purpose of social research is therefore, to discover these laws,
so that they may be used .in the guided growth of human
society.
Research Methodology For Social Science and Business
6
1.1 Social Research and Social Life:
From the definitions given above, we come to the conclusion that social
research is widely connected with the social life. The two cannot be
separated. Social research is in fact a part of the scientific study or
scientific approach. The social research investigates and verifies facts
about social life and formulates laws in this regard. After the laws have
been formulated, investigation is carried out and inter-relationship
between various facts and laws is established. Through these steps we are
able to collect data and knowledge about society. It has no direct
relationship with the solution of the social problem. It provides scientific
knowledge about these problems and helps the researcher to find out
solution. In brief a researcher‟s primary goal is to explore and gain an
understanding of human ehavior in social life, and thereby to gain a
greater control over them. Social research has the following
characteristics:
1. It is related to social life.
2. It investigates and verifies facts about the society and social
interactions.
3. It formulates laws in regard to different social phenomena and
the principles that guide these phenomena.
4. It also tries to investigate the relationship that exists between
various facts and phenomena of the social life.
On the basis of these four characteristics, social researcher tries
to provide and acquire knowledge about various facts of society and
social phenomena.
1.2 Social Research and Scientific Technique:
Social research as we have already seen is the result of the scientific
approach towards the social phenomena. During last decades, a good
deal of precision and sophistication has been done to the methods to
which sociology and other branches of social science are established. As
a result of this sophistication, the very position of sociology has changed.
Now sociology is not only regarded as an independent subject of study,
Dr. Syed Tarique Imam
7
but also a branch of knowledge which deals with the human society.
Many social problems can be tackled only through the methods that form
a part of social research. In fact, social researcher has to employ the
techniques and methods of science. But it does not mean that the
techniques and principles of other sciences can be blindly applied to
sociology. They have to be modified and changed according to the
requirements of the subject-matter. This is what Long Wilson has said in
the following lines:
“Scientific method is in essence a way of thinking and as such
imposes certain restrains upon those who use it, likewise its use liberates
many that processes from the fetters and igno-rance and errors.”
It means that social research is a scientific attempt to increase
knowledge. It collects and verifies social facts, establishes their
correlation, evolves processes and develops a scientific base about it. The
main function of social research is to add new knowledge to the existing
store. But its function of removing inapplicable theory is equally notable.
Social research is a cumulative process. Besides gain in knowledge, it
also discards outworn assumptions.
2. Purpose of Social Research
As we have already seen, social research is a scientific approach of
adding to the knowledge about society and social phenomena. It is
guided by certain objectives enumerated below:
Development of knowledge - Sociology as we all know is the
science that studies the social interactions or social phenomena.
Every science tries to collect a systematised body of knowledge
about the branch or the subject-matter that it studies. For this it
applies the research as a method. The main object of research is
to add to the knowledge. Similarly, social research is an
organised and scientific effort to acquire further knowledge
about the social phenomena and social facts. Social research as
we all know is not an object itself, but it is means to an object
Research Methodology For Social Science and Business
8
and the object depends upon the subject-matter to which it is
concerned.
Scientific study of social life - Social research or research is an
attempt to acquire scientific knowledge about the social
pheno¬mena and social facts. The researcher makes study of
the collec¬tive processes, social change, social structure, social
processes etc. Apart from it, he makes study of human being;
human behaviour and collects data about various aspects of the
social life of man and formulates laws in this regard. Once laws
have been formulated, he tries to establish the inter-relationship
between these facts. All these steps are intended at adding to the
knowledge or knowledge about social phenomena. Effort is
made to acquire further knowledge about the social phenomena
through scientific study and efforts to study social life.
Welfare of humanity — Science, as we all know, is not an end
in itself. The knowledge that we acquire is intended at bringing
about welfare of the humanity. No scientist or researcher makes
study only for the sake of study. He has to direct his study to
some higher aim which invariably is „Welfare of Humanity‟.
According to Kaufmann, „To promote the welfare of humanity
by the results of investigation may be the ultimate aim of one
scientist. Another may set as his goal the achievement of
material security and social prestige for himself: A third may
find scientific enquiry an end it-self in the sense that the
satisfaction he derives from his scientific work is a reason
enough for his engaging in it. In these cases scientific activity
appears as a means to the attainment of ends that are not
defined exclusively in terms of the scientific process.”
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