社会科学分析方法英文课件(6)
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• Readings: Text Chapters 1 and 2
Theory and research
Theory • An explanation of observed regularities and patterns • Helps explain “why things happen the way they do” • Theories guide our decisions • They provide a framework or foundation for analysis – a
Theory types
Substantive theories: about subjects, topics • For example: theories of housing, or economics,
or environmental management Instrumental theories: about processes • For example: process of environmental
and emerging
Epistemology
• This explains what is considered “acceptable” knowledge
• We wonder whether the social world can be examined the same as the natural world
(numbers) • Follows an Inductive research philosophy • Focus on how individuals interact with their social
world • Considers social reality as constantly evolving
• We consider why and how personal values and factors affect the research process.
• We will also begin to study the differences between qualitative and quantitative research. Finally, we consider the research objectives of reliability, replication and validity.
Course Objectives
• To introduce the key concepts and principles regarding social research methods
• To familiarize students with the qualitative and quantitative research tools that are used in social research
Deductive and inductive research
Deductive research • Most common type of social research • Starts with a base of theory, then… • Develop hypothesis (research statement) • And research – collect and analyze data, using
Course assignments
Assignment #1 (Individual Short Essay Paper) Explain the differences and similarities between qualitative and quantitative research. In what circumstances would you use one or both of these approaches? What are the implications of these research approaches for environmental management research activities in China – when and how could you use qualitative and/or quantitative research tools? Use examples to support your analysis and discussion.
Positivism • Considers social reality as an external, objective
reality – unchanged by individuals
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
Qualitative research • Emphasizes words rather than quantification
Course Assignments
Assignment #2 (Team project lecture presentation) You are to consider yourselves members of a social research methods consulting firm. The State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) needs research on social issues in the Dalian region. SEPA seeks to achieve sustainable development in Dalian, so it wishes to complement its extensive environmental data base with socio-economic information. Your task is to explain the major principles and techniques associated with social research. You must also recommend what you consider as the most effective social research methods in this context, and finally, you must develop and explain your complete social research process – the elements, stages and expected outcomes regarding information and knowledge generated.
• To understand the nature of the relationship between qualitative and quantitative research, and
• To explore possible applications of this knowledge in the context of environmental management issues in China.
Introduction, social research strategies, and research design
Today’s objectives
• Introduction to the course • Review goals and objectives • Review assignments • A. Social research strategies • B. Influences on social research • C. Research design issues • Guided review of textbook
proper research methods • Based on the findings, we can then confirm or
refute (reject) the hypothesis • We then confirm, refute or change the theory
Deductive research - process
the information for Theory • E.g.: what do my research findings suggest about
the Theory?
Deductive approach
Theory
Observations and Findings from
research program
management decision-making Contextual theories: reflect influences of a time • For example: guided by prevailing social or
political movements of an era
Inductive approach
Observations/ Findings from research program
Theory
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
Quantitative research • Emphasizes numbers and statistics • Uses a Deductive research approach • Influenced by the Natural Science model and
point of reference • For example: If X happens, we can expect Y • Theories are tested and confirmed through research • They are presented as statements or propositions
1. Theory
2. Hypothesis
3. Data collection
4. Findings 5. Hypothesis: confirm or refute 6. Theory: confirm, refute or revise
Inductive research
• While Deductive approach is driven by Theory… • Inductive approach is driven by observations • Here, researchers review their information • They then evaluate the implications (meaning) of
Positivism • only phenomena that we can identify and test –
these are valid types of knowledge • Scientific method – facts based research, value-
A. Social Research Strategies
• We explore the nature of the relationship between theory and research, specifically whether theory guides research (deductive approach) or whether theory is an outcome of research (inductive research).
Theory and research
Theory • An explanation of observed regularities and patterns • Helps explain “why things happen the way they do” • Theories guide our decisions • They provide a framework or foundation for analysis – a
Theory types
Substantive theories: about subjects, topics • For example: theories of housing, or economics,
or environmental management Instrumental theories: about processes • For example: process of environmental
and emerging
Epistemology
• This explains what is considered “acceptable” knowledge
• We wonder whether the social world can be examined the same as the natural world
(numbers) • Follows an Inductive research philosophy • Focus on how individuals interact with their social
world • Considers social reality as constantly evolving
• We consider why and how personal values and factors affect the research process.
• We will also begin to study the differences between qualitative and quantitative research. Finally, we consider the research objectives of reliability, replication and validity.
Course Objectives
• To introduce the key concepts and principles regarding social research methods
• To familiarize students with the qualitative and quantitative research tools that are used in social research
Deductive and inductive research
Deductive research • Most common type of social research • Starts with a base of theory, then… • Develop hypothesis (research statement) • And research – collect and analyze data, using
Course assignments
Assignment #1 (Individual Short Essay Paper) Explain the differences and similarities between qualitative and quantitative research. In what circumstances would you use one or both of these approaches? What are the implications of these research approaches for environmental management research activities in China – when and how could you use qualitative and/or quantitative research tools? Use examples to support your analysis and discussion.
Positivism • Considers social reality as an external, objective
reality – unchanged by individuals
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
Qualitative research • Emphasizes words rather than quantification
Course Assignments
Assignment #2 (Team project lecture presentation) You are to consider yourselves members of a social research methods consulting firm. The State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) needs research on social issues in the Dalian region. SEPA seeks to achieve sustainable development in Dalian, so it wishes to complement its extensive environmental data base with socio-economic information. Your task is to explain the major principles and techniques associated with social research. You must also recommend what you consider as the most effective social research methods in this context, and finally, you must develop and explain your complete social research process – the elements, stages and expected outcomes regarding information and knowledge generated.
• To understand the nature of the relationship between qualitative and quantitative research, and
• To explore possible applications of this knowledge in the context of environmental management issues in China.
Introduction, social research strategies, and research design
Today’s objectives
• Introduction to the course • Review goals and objectives • Review assignments • A. Social research strategies • B. Influences on social research • C. Research design issues • Guided review of textbook
proper research methods • Based on the findings, we can then confirm or
refute (reject) the hypothesis • We then confirm, refute or change the theory
Deductive research - process
the information for Theory • E.g.: what do my research findings suggest about
the Theory?
Deductive approach
Theory
Observations and Findings from
research program
management decision-making Contextual theories: reflect influences of a time • For example: guided by prevailing social or
political movements of an era
Inductive approach
Observations/ Findings from research program
Theory
Quantitative vs. Qualitative Research
Quantitative research • Emphasizes numbers and statistics • Uses a Deductive research approach • Influenced by the Natural Science model and
point of reference • For example: If X happens, we can expect Y • Theories are tested and confirmed through research • They are presented as statements or propositions
1. Theory
2. Hypothesis
3. Data collection
4. Findings 5. Hypothesis: confirm or refute 6. Theory: confirm, refute or revise
Inductive research
• While Deductive approach is driven by Theory… • Inductive approach is driven by observations • Here, researchers review their information • They then evaluate the implications (meaning) of
Positivism • only phenomena that we can identify and test –
these are valid types of knowledge • Scientific method – facts based research, value-
A. Social Research Strategies
• We explore the nature of the relationship between theory and research, specifically whether theory guides research (deductive approach) or whether theory is an outcome of research (inductive research).