TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENRAL INTRODUCTION TO RSC2601 .................................................................................. 1

1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................... 1
2 OVERVIEW OF RSC2601 .................................................................................................... 1
2.1 Purpose ..................................................................................................................................... 1
2.2 Outcomes .................................................................................................................................. 1

3 STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY GUIDE ................................................................................ 2

4 ACKNOWLEDGING CONTRIBUTORS ............................................................................... 4
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General introduction to RSC2601

GENRAL INTRODUCTION TO RSC2601

1 INTRODUCTION

Welcome to Research in Social Sciences module. In this module, we will introduce you to
the basic principles and process of conducting research in the social sciences. We hope
you will find the module stimulating and relevant to the current and future social sciences
research and methods trends.

2 OVERVIEW OF RSC2601

2.1 Purpose

In the social sciences, researchers often grapple with human issues and questions.
Hence, this module aims to introduce students to the basic principles of conducting
research in the social sciences. We want students to understand how social scientists
collect information to answer questions and what they do with it. This module provides
an overview of research processes in the social sciences and is designed to benefit all
students studying human sciences.

2.2 Outcomes

The module has been designed to provide students with basic principles and
processes of conducting research in the social sciences, forming the foundation for
research methodology courses in Communication Sciences, Health Studies,
Psychology, Social Work and Sociology.

After completing this module, you should be able to:

• Describe the scientific approach and strategies for acquiring knowledge in social
science research.
• Explain the role and importance of theory in research.
• Demonstrate an understanding of scientific research.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the research designs used in research.
• Explain the importance of ethics in social research.
• Differentiate the sampling methods and techniques used in social research.
• Compare the different methods used for data collection.
• Explain the methods used to analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative
data.
• Discuss what research writing, evaluation and report entail.

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3 STRUCTURE OF THE STUDY GUIDE

For this module, the study guide is the primary source of information as it contains all the
content you need to know about conducting research in social sciences. In other words,
there are NO prescribed books for this module, students only need to download and read
the study guide to complete assignments and the semester examination.

It is important to note that each study unit starts with a number of learning outcomes. The
learning outcomes indicate what is expected of you to understand, know and be able to
apply once you have worked through the study unit. The learning outcomes will also help
you to structure your learning. There are activities included in each study unit and these
should assist you with grasping the content of each study unit of the study guide. Please
note that no study unit or section is less or more important than another. Research is a
process and should be approached as such, with all steps and phases equally important.

When reviewing the study guide, you will see the specific research areas covered in this
module. In other words, you must:

1. Begin by thinking about social research and exploring key issues such as what
is actually meant by scientific research, theory, underlying assumptions, and research
ethics.
2. Then research planning is explored; this includes things such as deciding on a topic;
focusing on a problem; considering the time available and the purpose and scope of
the research; choosing a research design; deciding what information we need; and
selecting the participants (sampling).
3. We shall then focus on the practicalities of collecting data (that is, actually doing the
research).
4. Finally, the processes of making sense are considered. In other words, how the data
are interpreted and presented.

Here is the brief summary of the content of each study unit:

Study unit 1 (Strategies of Acquiring Knowledge in Social Sciences Research)
introduce you to the scientific approach to social research by exploring the strategies of
acquiring knowledge, error in human inquiry, the role of science in social research,
dominant and recent paradigms adopted by social scientists and, lastly, stages of research
in the social sciences.

Study unit 2 (The role of theory in research) discusses the relationship between theory
and research. The learning unit defines and describes theory with reference to its purpose,
the forms of explanations it provides, its scope and the domains of social reality it

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deals with. Additionally, attention is given to conceptualisation with a specific focus on

identifying a suitable research topic and problem and formulating a hypothesis.

Study unit 3 (Scientific research) introduces and empower students to demonstrate an

understanding of scientific research. The learning unit describes different types and
approaches to research, as well as time dimensions in research.

Study unit 4 (Ethics in research) aim to answer this one central question: What ethical
requirements must we keep in mind when doing research? We answer this question by first
considering the meaning of the concept “ethics”, and we then deal with the different ethical
issues as these relate to (1) people, (2) different research approaches, and (3) our
professional capacities as researchers.

Study unit 5 (Research design) aims to demonstrate an understanding of the research

design process in research in the social sciences. To provide context, the concept of
research design was introduced in learning unit 3, highlighting its fundamental role in
scientific research. A research design helps us plan a study to answer our research
question. Please revisit learning unit 3 to ensure that you understand what scientific
research is.

Study unit 6 (Sampling) describes the process of taking any portion of a population as
representative of that population. The importance of sampling is discussed and key issues
such as probability versus nonprobability sampling, sampling techniques and sampling size
are explored.

Study unit 7 (Data collection) introduces you to how measuring is used to collect data. We
deal with how questioning can be used to collect data; and how researchers use
observation as a method of collecting data. Although we deal with the three data collection
methods separately, they are often used in combination. We also explain how data can be
obtained using interviews, questionnaires and observations.

Study unit 8 (Data analysis and interpretation) introduces you to fundamental methods
used to analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data in the social sciences. The
unit outlines basic steps and techniques used to sum voluminous data into meaningful and
easily comprehendible information, emanating from a research study. In brief, we induct you
to comprehensive and essential quantitative data analysis techniques such as descriptive
statistics, frequency distribution tables, graphs, measures of central tendency, and
correlations between study variables. We also introduce you to methods used to analyse
and interpret qualitative data, which include, among others, thematic analysis; constant
comparative analysis; narrative analysis and phenomenological analysis.

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Study unit 9 (Writing and evaluating research reports) looks at the importance of
reporting our research work. There are many different types of reports that we can use;
each type has a distinct use and the type of report we choose will dictate how we report our
research findings. In this study unit, we also provide some criteria on how to evaluate a
research report.

4 ACKNOWLEDGING CONTRIBUTORS

We acknowledge to the writers of the initial study guide that was published in the year 2010.
I would also like to extend gratitude and a special thanks to the following academics who
contributed to the revision of this study guide as it is implemented in the year 2024.
Learning unit 1: Mr. Percyval Bayane — Department of Sociology — Coordinator
Learning unit 2: Mr. Tshepo Maake — Department of Sociology
Learning unit 3: Prof. Gisela van Rensburg — Department of Health Studies
Learning unit 4: Mrs. Therise Davie — Department of Communication Sciences
Learning unit 5: Dr. Errolyn Gordon — Department of Psychology
Learning unit 6: Prof. Gisela van Rensburg — Department of Health Studies)
Learning unit 7: Mrs. Therise Davie — Department of Communication Sciences
Learning unit 8: Dr. Bongani Mtshweni — Department (s) of Psychology and Social Work
and Dr. Maditobane Lekganyane
Learning unit 9: Mrs. Therise Davie — Department of Communications Sciences)