The Inquiry Method for Social Science Research, Developing a Theory,
How the Inquiry Method Works
Critical Questions to be Answered
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What is the purpose of social science research?
What does a research hope to understand upon completing social science research?
What is a theory?
Why do social scientists develop and look for theories?
What is inductive reasoning and how does it work?
What is deductive reasoning and how does it work?
Explain inductive and deductive reasoning using Durkheim’s suicide case study.
Identify and explain the steps of the Inquiry Method.
List the most common research methods used by social scientists. What are the
advantages and disadvantages of these methods?
The Inquiry Method for Social Science Research, Developing a Theory,
How the Inquiry Method Works
Critical Questions to be Answered
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
What is the purpose of social science research?
What does a research hope to understand upon completing social science research?
What is a theory?
Why do social scientists develop and look for theories?
What is inductive reasoning and how does it work?
What is deductive reasoning and how does it work?
Explain inductive and deductive reasoning using Durkheim’s suicide case study.
Identify and explain the steps of the Inquiry Method.
List the most common research methods used by social scientists. What are the
advantages and disadvantages of these methods?
The Inquiry Method for Social Science Research
Social science research looks for patterns in human behaviour as well as
connections among behaviours.
In social sciences you will learn about patterns of behaviour – not rules or
laws
Many of the results in social sciences are reported as ratios or percentages
85% of teenagers indentify their friendships as very important in
their lives
1 in 10 Canadian families have step-children
Knowledge of social science enables you to predict what is likely to
happen based on past experiences.
Most frequently asked questions are ‘What happens?’ and ‘Why?’
You will lean the answers to these questions by using the research
methods of social scientists.
You will be able to conduct your own research on individuals, groups and
families.
Once you understand social science research methods, you will be able to
read and analyze the results of research done by others.
You will be able to look for reasons behind social policies, laws,
purposes of advertising and other programs.
You will gain a better understanding of the many influences on your life.
Developing a Theory - Inductive & Deductive Reasoning
Deductive reasoning works from the more general to the more
specific. Sometimes this is informally called a "top-down" approach.
We might begin with thinking up a theory about our topic of interest. We then
narrow that down into more specific hypotheses that we can test. We narrow down
even further when we collect observations to address the hypotheses. This
ultimately leads us to be able to test the hypotheses with specific data -- a
confirmation (or not) of our original theories.
Inductive reasoning works the other way, moving from specific
observations to broader generalizations and theories. We sometimes
call this a "bottom up" approach.
In inductive reasoning, we begin with specific observations and measures, begin to
detect patterns and regularities, formulate some tentative hypotheses that we can
explore, and finally end up developing some general conclusions or theories.
These two methods of reasoning have a very different "feel" to them when you are
conducting research. Inductive reasoning is more open-ended and exploratory,
especially at the beginning. Deductive reasoning is more narrow in nature and is
concerned with testing or confirming hypotheses.
How the Inquiry Method Works
1) Identify the Problem – begin with the topic or issue you want to
study. Determine what you already know or THINK you know. The
problem states what you need to find out.
2) Form a Hypothesis or Research Question - This forms the basis for
your investigation. A good research question states exactly what you
want to learn and will suggest how you will conduct the research.
Developing a hypothesis – a statement of a possible answer to the
question which the researcher will attempt to prove or disprove using
research.
3) Gather Data - Do an Experiment or Research – Gather the
data/information to answer your question. Use surveys, questionnaires,
interviews, experiments and/or observations. It is important to
distinguish between fact and opinion.
Facts are supported with evidence that everyone can observe.
Opinions are based on individual observations or experiences.
4) Analyze the Data – Organize the data so you can compare, analyze
and summarize the information. Look for relationships between the data
– these relationships between evidence will help your answer your
research question.
5) Formulate and Communicate Conclusions – Form the conclusions
that state how your data answers your question or hypothesis and also
how they answer the question ‘Why?’. Sometimes your hypothesis will
not be answered – WHY? Explain your results either written, orally or in
a research report.