The Inquiry Method The Inquiry Method for Social Science for Social Science

ResearchResearch

Doctor ExampleDoctor ExampleOrder

:Steps: What would you call each of

the steps?  The doctor gathered the notes from

her observations and added them to the test results she had obtained.

 

  The patient walked into the doctor’s office, complaining of fever and lack of energy.

 

  The doctor concluded that the patient might have the flu that was going around.

 

  The doctor thought the patient might have the flu that was going around.

 

  The doctor prescribed rest, tylenol, and plenty of liquids.

 

  The doctor inspected the patient’s eyes, nose and ears and ordered some test.

 

► Social science research looks for:Social science research looks for: patterns in human behaviourpatterns in human behaviour connectionsconnections among those behaviours among those behaviours

► Most frequently asked questions are ‘What Most frequently asked questions are ‘What happens?’ and ‘Why?’happens?’ and ‘Why?’

► You will You will learn the answers to these questionslearn the answers to these questions by using the research methods of social by using the research methods of social science.science.

How the Inquiry How the Inquiry Method WorksMethod Works

1) Identify the Problem1) Identify the Problem

►Begin with the topic or issue you want Begin with the topic or issue you want to study. to study.

►Determine what you already know or Determine what you already know or THINK you know. THINK you know.

►The problem states what you need to The problem states what you need to find out.find out.

Research QuestionResearch Question

►This forms the basis for your investigation. This forms the basis for your investigation. states exactly what you want to studystates exactly what you want to study

►State this as a question – (will be answered State this as a question – (will be answered as your hypothesis)as your hypothesis)

►Your research questions must include 2 Your research questions must include 2 variables – independent (cause) and variables – independent (cause) and dependent (effect)dependent (effect)

2) Developing a 2) Developing a HypothesisHypothesis

►A statement of a possible answer to the A statement of a possible answer to the question which the researcher will question which the researcher will attempt to prove or disprove using attempt to prove or disprove using research. research.

►This can be based on an educated This can be based on an educated opinion as to what you think the opinion as to what you think the conclusions of your research may be conclusions of your research may be and why you think this occurs.and why you think this occurs.

3) Gather Data – 3) Gather Data – Do an Experiment or Do an Experiment or

ResearchResearch    ►Gather the data/information to answer Gather the data/information to answer

your question. your question. ►Secondary research = using existing Secondary research = using existing

data from credible social scientists data from credible social scientists ►Primary research = gathering your Primary research = gathering your

own research own research Use surveys, questionnaires, interviews, Use surveys, questionnaires, interviews,

experiments and/or observations. experiments and/or observations.

4) Analyze the Data4) Analyze the Data

►Organize the data so you can Organize the data so you can compare, analyze and summarize the compare, analyze and summarize the information. information.

►Look for relationships and trends Look for relationships and trends between the data – these relationships between the data – these relationships between evidence will help you answer between evidence will help you answer your research question. your research question. 

5) Formulate and 5) Formulate and Communicate ConclusionsCommunicate Conclusions

► Form the conclusions that state how your Form the conclusions that state how your data answers your question or hypothesis data answers your question or hypothesis and also how they answer the question and also how they answer the question ‘Why?’. ‘Why?’.

► Sometimes your hypothesis will not be Sometimes your hypothesis will not be answered – WHY? Explain your results answered – WHY? Explain your results either written, orally or in a research report.either written, orally or in a research report.

6) Theory Application6) Theory Application►Use an existing theory to help explain Use an existing theory to help explain

reasons for your conclusions (deductive reasons for your conclusions (deductive reasoning)reasoning)

►Develop your own theory which explain the Develop your own theory which explain the trends you have found in your research trends you have found in your research (inductive reasoning)(inductive reasoning)

►Real world application of the research – how Real world application of the research – how does the research help us advance and does the research help us advance and improve aspects of society and individuals?improve aspects of society and individuals?

In Class Activity - In Class Activity - ►Fill in the chart outlining the areas of Fill in the chart outlining the areas of

the inquiry method from the the inquiry method from the studies/articles providedstudies/articles provided

►Study 1: Spongebob Cartoon Causes Study 1: Spongebob Cartoon Causes Attention Problems in KidsAttention Problems in Kids https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvXZE1H

AL0s

►Study 2: Student 'addiction' to technology Study 2: Student 'addiction' to technology 'similar to drug cravings', study finds'similar to drug cravings', study finds https://theworldunplugged.wordpress.com/ https://theworldunplugged.wordpress.com/ad

dictions/conclusions/