Paper Example Doctorate 901 words

Social Research Define \"Research\" Social Research Process

Last reviewed: April 16, 2013 ~5 min read
Abstract

This paper is about research. The systematic nature of the research allows it to be divided into a logical process. The general process of research can be defined in terms of the stages it encounters. The process of research begins with a question raised by the researcher which is transferred into a plan for conducting research. The statement of problem is drafted to provide a clear understanding of the issue raised. Sub issues are also incorporated to breakdown the major issue into father smaller issues.

Social Research

Define "Research"

Social Research process

Practice of Social Research

Potential area for Growth, Development, and Learning

Define "Research":

The process of research is scientific and systematic in order to obtain new facts and findings for a specific subject. It is also regarded as a systematic approach towards gaining knowledge. The inquest wasted in human nature is the primary reason for conducting research to find the desired information (May, 2011). The research activity is academic in nature and it is associated with definition and redefinition of the issues, drawing inferences, and later providing solutions for these problems.

According to Bryman (2012) the research is also an activity performed in the search of knowledge from unknown towards the known state. The human desire to discover new ideas, theories, and conclusions are the primary instigators of research. The research facilitates to reach the actual state of the issue through systematic and academic application of assumptions, questioning the critical factors, and drawing results from the above mentioned activities. It also provides a primary input to the existing state of knowledge and as a result adds value for further generations of scholars.

The issues are raised prior to conducting research and a hypothesis is formulated. Later the research questions are systematically segregated into groups to formulate a strategy for collection of data and review of the exiting point-of-views. The collection of facts and data is analyzed in terms of reaching a conclusion either in the form of solutions or theory generalizations. Each research study can refer to either one of the following groups of research (Bryman, 2012). The major groups for research are exploration, formulation, description, diagnostic, and hypothesis tests. The motivation of research is also scattered around various intentions and desires including the recognitions for concluding new possibilities, challenging the conventional point-of-view, and solving unsolved problems.

Process of Research:

The systematic nature of the research allows it to be divided into a logical process. The general process of research can be defined in terms of the stages it encounters. The process of research begins with a question raised by the researcher which is transferred into a plan for conducting research. The statement of problem is drafted to provide a clear understanding of the issue raised. Sub-issues are also incorporated to breakdown the major issue into father smaller issues. Hypothesis is developed to provide understanding of the issue. Fact collection is also an important step of the research process (Banister, 2011). Facts are tested and interpreted in terms of the earlier developed hypothesis. After interpreting of facts the hypothesis is either approved or rejected and a conclusion is formulated.

Social Research process:

There are several method used to conduct social research including secondary literature review, social surveys, interview, comparative, and case study research. The process is also dependent on the specific technique adapted to conduct research. However the social scientists also adhere to the general process of research. This process included distinct stages and steps required to attain next level. The process of social research also begins with the definition of issues. The specific questions are devised to answer the researchseveral aspects of the research (May, 2011). The general background of the issue sis also considered in order to completely acquaint with different aspects of the subject.

The resources are identified according to the specific methodology taken to conduct social research. The research methodology is specific to incorporate techniques for fact gathering including qualitative and quantities methods. It can be further defined in terms of secondary literature review, interviews, surveys, and case study methods (May, 2011; Banister, 2011). The collection of facts is analyzed to assess their results. The assessment process also involves various qualitative and quantitative techniques. Numerousresearch tools are also used to assist social scientists. The results are interpreted in relevance with the research hypothesis. It conclusion is drawn on the basis of interpreted results. The hypothesis is either accepted as valid or rejected at this stage. The research can also provide solutions or conclusion as per relevance with the subject.

Practice of Social Research:

The practice of social research provides us the facility to design and develop our research around already defined techniques and strategies. However it is also dependent on the researcher's ability to incorporate the techniques and practices in a coherent and focused manner to enhance audience and subject relevance. The insightsdeveloped through social research in terms of society and quality of information is also a vital aspect (May, 2011). There are several areas in social research that can provide growth edge. The selection of a particular area of interest is dependent on the background knowledge, expertise, experiences, and motivation of the researcher (Banister, 2011).

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References
3 sources cited in this paper
  • Banister, P. (2011). Qualitative methods in psychology: A research guide. USA: McGraw-Hill International.
  • Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods.UK: OUP Oxford.
  • May, Tim. Social Research: Issues, Methods and Research. USA: Open university press, 2011.
Cite This Paper
PaperDue. (2013). Social Research Define \"Research\" Social Research Process. PaperDue. https://www.paperdue.com/essay/social-research-define-research-social-101258

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