Chapter 2: Social research strategies
Social research
Two important points
1. Methods of social research are closely tied to different vision of how social reality
should be studied
2. The question of how research methods and practice connect with the wider social
scientific enterprise
Theory and research
Why is theory important to the social researcher?
Provide a backcloth & rationale for the research conducted
Provides a framework within which social phenomena can be understood and
research findings interpreted
Types of theory
1. Theories of the middle range
- Focus on empirical enquiry
- Operate in a limited domain
- Represent attempts to understand & explain a limited aspect of social life
2. Grand theories
- Operate at an more abstract & general level
- According to Merton grand theories are of limited use in connection with
social research
Empiricism – two different uses
1. Used to indicate a general approach to the study of reality that suggests that only
knowledge gained through experience & senses is applicable
- Ideas must be rigorously tested before considered knowledge
-
1
Social research
Two important points
1. Methods of social research are closely tied to different vision of how social reality
should be studied
2. The question of how research methods and practice connect with the wider social
scientific enterprise
Theory and research
Why is theory important to the social researcher?
Provide a backcloth & rationale for the research conducted
Provides a framework within which social phenomena can be understood and
research findings interpreted
Types of theory
1. Theories of the middle range
- Focus on empirical enquiry
- Operate in a limited domain
- Represent attempts to understand & explain a limited aspect of social life
2. Grand theories
- Operate at an more abstract & general level
- According to Merton grand theories are of limited use in connection with
social research
Empiricism – two different uses
1. Used to indicate a general approach to the study of reality that suggests that only
knowledge gained through experience & senses is applicable
- Ideas must be rigorously tested before considered knowledge
-
1
