Summary Introduction Business
Research
,Part 1: Social research
The systematic analysis of research questions by using empirical methods (e.g. of asking, observing,
re-using and analyzing data).
- (Broad explanation) Social research is the study of social trends dynamics & principles that
exist between individuals and within societies.
- Analyses problems and tries to prevent harmfull behaviours through its research questions
(RS). Example: smoking (harmfull behaviour) VS. likelihood to get cancer (scientific
knowledge).
- Its aim is to make empirically grounded statements that can be generalized or to test such
statements.
Theories must be developed to test such relations. Everyday knowledge + problem solving can
become a starting point for theory development and Empirical Research.
- Difference between scientific research is that scientific research confronts expectations
which have impact in the field the researcher studied themselves.
Ask yourself:
- What is studied exactly?
- How is it ensured that the RS really investigates what’s supposed to be studied?
- What is represented in what is studied?
- Is it the execution of the study ethically + theoretically grounded?
- Which methodology claims that are made/fulfilled?
- Does presentation of results/ways of production make the info transparent?
- Is the chosen procedure convincing?
- Does the study achieve degree of generalization as expected?
The tasks of social research:
Knowledge: description, understanding and explanation of phenomena (New Diseases)
- Scientists remain the target group for the research and its results.
Practice oriented research: applied and participative research (Hospitals/Schools)
- The intention of this research to initiate change during the processof research and
by the very fact that the study is being done.
Monologic research: the interviewees unfold their views, the researchers listen
Dialogic research: the interviewees unfold their views, the researchers listen and make suggestions
for how to change the situation.
A two-subject relation: turns into a relation between two subjects; the researcher and the
participant.
What can you achieve with social research?
- Explore issues, fields, and phenomena and provide first descriptions.
- Discover new relations by collecting and analyzing data.
- Provide empirical data and analyses as a basis for developing theories.
- Test existing theories and stocks of knowledge empirically.
- Document the effects of interventions, treatments, programs, etc. in an empirically based
- Provide knowledge (i.e. data, analyses and results) as an empirically grounded basis for
political, administrative and practical decision-making.
- To better understand social factors that motivate + influence human beings + analyze
how/why humans interact.
What you can’t do with social research:
2
, - The aim of developing a single grand theory to explain society and the phenomena within it,
which also outstand empirical testing.
- Immediate sollutions for current, urgent problems.
- It is not a method to study all phenomena
What can you do with social research:
- Develop and even test empirically, a number of theories a range of social science methods.
- Provides knowledge about details and relations, which can be employed to develop solutions
for societal problems.
- To study Social Life VS. Social Systems
Part 2: Ethical issues in social research
Researchers should be able to:
1. Justify why their research is necessary.
2. State what the aims are.
3. Must state he circumstances under which subjects participate.
4. Must be able to make their procedures comprehensible to non-experts.
5. Must estimate positive/negative consequences for participants.
6. Must estimate possible violations/damages.
7. Must estimate how to prevent violations/damages.
8. False statements about usefulness of research have to be avoided and data protection rules
should be respected.
People involved:
- Must be informed about being studied.
- Must participate voluntarily.
Because it shows transparency and avoids/eliminates harm or deception.
Data protection should be taken care of.
Consent:
- Should be given by someone competent. (Otherwise a guardian)
- Should be adequately informed.
- Should be voluntarily.
Confidentiality:
- Form must be signed by researcher and participant.
- Participants must always be able to withdrawal.
- Anonymity must be held.
Harm:
- Mainly important when medicine is being used for example. It deals with if life expectancy of
somone changes yes or no.
Data protection:
- Data must be protected.
- Must be notified of a breach within 72 hours.
Participants cannot be deceived in the process of collecting data.
3
Research
,Part 1: Social research
The systematic analysis of research questions by using empirical methods (e.g. of asking, observing,
re-using and analyzing data).
- (Broad explanation) Social research is the study of social trends dynamics & principles that
exist between individuals and within societies.
- Analyses problems and tries to prevent harmfull behaviours through its research questions
(RS). Example: smoking (harmfull behaviour) VS. likelihood to get cancer (scientific
knowledge).
- Its aim is to make empirically grounded statements that can be generalized or to test such
statements.
Theories must be developed to test such relations. Everyday knowledge + problem solving can
become a starting point for theory development and Empirical Research.
- Difference between scientific research is that scientific research confronts expectations
which have impact in the field the researcher studied themselves.
Ask yourself:
- What is studied exactly?
- How is it ensured that the RS really investigates what’s supposed to be studied?
- What is represented in what is studied?
- Is it the execution of the study ethically + theoretically grounded?
- Which methodology claims that are made/fulfilled?
- Does presentation of results/ways of production make the info transparent?
- Is the chosen procedure convincing?
- Does the study achieve degree of generalization as expected?
The tasks of social research:
Knowledge: description, understanding and explanation of phenomena (New Diseases)
- Scientists remain the target group for the research and its results.
Practice oriented research: applied and participative research (Hospitals/Schools)
- The intention of this research to initiate change during the processof research and
by the very fact that the study is being done.
Monologic research: the interviewees unfold their views, the researchers listen
Dialogic research: the interviewees unfold their views, the researchers listen and make suggestions
for how to change the situation.
A two-subject relation: turns into a relation between two subjects; the researcher and the
participant.
What can you achieve with social research?
- Explore issues, fields, and phenomena and provide first descriptions.
- Discover new relations by collecting and analyzing data.
- Provide empirical data and analyses as a basis for developing theories.
- Test existing theories and stocks of knowledge empirically.
- Document the effects of interventions, treatments, programs, etc. in an empirically based
- Provide knowledge (i.e. data, analyses and results) as an empirically grounded basis for
political, administrative and practical decision-making.
- To better understand social factors that motivate + influence human beings + analyze
how/why humans interact.
What you can’t do with social research:
2
, - The aim of developing a single grand theory to explain society and the phenomena within it,
which also outstand empirical testing.
- Immediate sollutions for current, urgent problems.
- It is not a method to study all phenomena
What can you do with social research:
- Develop and even test empirically, a number of theories a range of social science methods.
- Provides knowledge about details and relations, which can be employed to develop solutions
for societal problems.
- To study Social Life VS. Social Systems
Part 2: Ethical issues in social research
Researchers should be able to:
1. Justify why their research is necessary.
2. State what the aims are.
3. Must state he circumstances under which subjects participate.
4. Must be able to make their procedures comprehensible to non-experts.
5. Must estimate positive/negative consequences for participants.
6. Must estimate possible violations/damages.
7. Must estimate how to prevent violations/damages.
8. False statements about usefulness of research have to be avoided and data protection rules
should be respected.
People involved:
- Must be informed about being studied.
- Must participate voluntarily.
Because it shows transparency and avoids/eliminates harm or deception.
Data protection should be taken care of.
Consent:
- Should be given by someone competent. (Otherwise a guardian)
- Should be adequately informed.
- Should be voluntarily.
Confidentiality:
- Form must be signed by researcher and participant.
- Participants must always be able to withdrawal.
- Anonymity must be held.
Harm:
- Mainly important when medicine is being used for example. It deals with if life expectancy of
somone changes yes or no.
Data protection:
- Data must be protected.
- Must be notified of a breach within 72 hours.
Participants cannot be deceived in the process of collecting data.
3
