SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS

The Sample Survey

These ask questions of a group of people who represent a larger group

Ex. Polls, ratings.

The Case Study

Studies an individual or small part of a community in order to better

understand their behaviour

Ex. Students in grade nine (smokers)

The Experiment

These are designed to see how one factor is related to the other. One factor (part) is changed and the effect on the other factor is noted. Experiments are more frequently used in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, etc) due to the question of ethical behaviour and the use of human subjects. Ex. Rat in a maze

Interviews

Interviews are used when a researcher requires detailed information from a few people and is looking for explanations or

descriptions of thought and behaviour

Ex. An interview with an expert in a particular subject, area or topic

ObservationA method that enables a researcher to learn about

people in their normal surroundings. There are three types: unstructured, structured and participant

observation

Note: Interviews and observation both provide less concrete data and therefore are more difficult to

graphically analyze