Research Methodology for Social Sciences

Research refers to scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. Research comprises defining and redefining problems; formulating hypotheses; collecting, organising and evaluating data; making deductions; reaching conclusions; and finally suggesting solutions. Research is, thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for its advancement. It is the pursuit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment. Society is an organised group of persons associated together with shared objectives, norms and values. Social research is a systematised investigation to gain new knowledge about social phenomenon and problems. Social research helps to analyse and understand human behaviour which forms the basis for all decisions and policies. In social research, society is the laboratory and human beings are the objects. In spite of complexity of human behaviour and human relations, it is possible to find general patterns of social behaviour and thus to make reasonable predictions. This book ties together the two domains of knowledge, namely qualitative and quantitative research techniques. It is designed to invoke methodological thinking among budding scholars, faculties and researchers in social sciences.