SOCIAL RESEARCH: ITS METHODS

AND TECHNIQUES
 INTODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY &
PSYCHOLOGY

Topics: SOCIAL RESEARCH: ITS METHODS AND

TECHNIQUES

Submitted to: Josinta Zinia

Asst. Professor

School of Business

Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology

Submitted by: Name: ID

Proggo Choudhury 10.01.02.076

Date of Submission: 7th July, 2010

 Acknowledgement

At the beginning I would like to thank the Almighty for my completing the assignment in as safe
and sound manner.

I would like to express my humble gratitude to my teacher, Josinta Zinia, Associate Professor for
helping me in preparing in every aspects of my assignment.

I also want to convey my gratitude to all of my friends to help me completing this assignment.
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Social scientists employ a range of methods in order to analyses a vast breadth of social
phenomena; from survey data derived from millions of individuals, to the in-depth analysis of a
single agents' social experiences; from monitoring what is happening on contemporary streets, to
the investigation of ancient historical documents. Social research refers to research conducted
by social scientists. Social research methods may be divided into two broad categories.
Qualitative & Quantitative. Qualitative research methods have increased in significance over the
last decade. Problems arise because the area of qualitative research is an extremely broad one,
making definition enormously difficult, if not impossible.

Quantitative methods are much more objective than qualitative methods. They are essentially
systematic and based on a positivism perspective. Essentially quantitative data is replicable; it
should be possible for the same data. These methods have are either in a form of qualitative or
quantitative method.

Survey method is most widely used in social science research. The case study approach offers a
means of organization social data with the view to preserving the wholeness of the social object
being studied. The descriptive method research deals with a situation that demands the technique
of the observation as principal means of collecting data. Interview is one of the important
methods of collecting data in social research. Literally, interview means mutual view of each
other. The experimental method involves manipulation one variable to determine it changes in on
variable cause changes in another variable. Questionnaire is a research instrument of a series of
questions and other promotes for the purpose of gathering information form respondents.
Scientific method is refers to a body of techniques for investigating Phenomena, acquiring new
knowledge. Focus group discussion is a qualitative research method where a group of people are
asked about their perceptions. Ethnographic research is considered the most complex of all
research methods. History may be defined as an integrated narrative description of past event or
facts, written in the spirit of critical inquire to find out the whole truth and report it.

Those working in the research department attached to industries other types of establishedments
have made research their profession and obtain salary for their service. It provides job
opportunities for a few intellectual.
Contents Page

INTRODUCTION 1-1

A.1Definition of Research 1

A.2 Social Research 1

B. Methods 1-2

Qualitative Research Method 2

C.1Advantage & Disadvantage of qualitative research method 2-3

Quantitative Research Method 3

D.1Adavantage & Disadvantage of quantitative research method 3-4

Classic distinction between qualitative and quantitative: 4

1.Survey Research Method 5-7

1.1Definition 5

1.2 Diagram of Survey Method 5

1.3 Advantage of Survey Method 6

1.4 Limitation of Survey Method 7

2. The Case study Method 7-9

2.1Definition 7

2.2 Diagram of Case study Method 8

2.3 Case study Method Steps 8

2.3.1First step

2.3.2Second step

2.3.3Third step
2.4Merits of Case study Method 9

2.5Limitation of Case study Method 9

3. Descriptive Method 10-11

3.1Definition 10

3.2Diagram of Descriptive Method 10

3.3Advantage of Descriptive Method 11

3.4Limitation of Descriptive Method 11

4. Interview Research method 12-13

4.1Definition 12

4.2The process of interview method 12

4.3Diagram of interview method 12

4.5Advantage of interview method 13

4.6Disadvantage or Limitation of Interview Method 13

5. The Experimental Method 14-15

5.1Definition 14

5.2Types of Experimental Method 14

5.2.1Laboratory Experiments

5.2.2Field Experiments

5.3Merits of Experimental Method 14

5.4Demerits of Experimental Method 15

6. Questionnaire Research Method 15-16

6.1Definition 15

6.2Advantage of Questionnaire Research Method 16

6.3Disadvantage of Questionnaire Research Method 16

7.The Scientific Research Method 17-18

7.1Definition 17

7.2Diagram of Scientific Research Method 17

7.3Advantage of Scientific Research Method 18

7.4Disadvantage of Scientific Method 18

8. Focus group discussion Method 19-20

8.1Advantages of Focus group discussion method 19

8.2Disadvantages of Focus group discussion method 20

9. Ethnographic Research method 20-21

9.1Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethnographic Research 21

10. Historical Research Method 22-24

10.1Definition 22

10.2Primary sources

10.3Secondary sources

10.4Three major steps of Historical Research Method 22

10.5Source of Historical Data 23

10.6Limitation of Historical Research Method 23-24

CONCLUSION 25

REFERENCES 26