Social Sciences

Study of human society and social relationships.

Advanced Topics

Social Research Methods

Investigating Society Like a Scientist

Social scientists use different research methods to collect information and answer questions about society.

Types of Methods

  • Qualitative Research: Focuses on descriptions and understanding meanings (like interviews and observations).
  • Quantitative Research: Involves numbers and statistics (like surveys and experiments).
  • Mixed Methods: Combines both approaches.

Why Methods Matter

Good research methods ensure that findings are accurate and reliable. They also help us avoid bias and make fair conclusions.

Real-World Use

Governments and organizations use social research to create better policies, products, and services based on evidence.

Examples

  • A city surveys residents to plan better public transportation.

  • A researcher interviews students to find out how they feel about school uniforms.

In a Nutshell

Social research methods help us learn about society in a scientific way.