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Research Paradigms - The Social Scientific Paradigm - Social Science Defined

6 important questions on Research Paradigms - The Social Scientific Paradigm - Social Science Defined

What is social sciences?

Social sciences is an organized method of research combining empirical observations of behavior with inductive and deductive logic to confirm and test theories that are used to describe and/or predict human activity

What is of utmost importance for social scientists?

Describing and/or predicting human behavior, particularly through testing of theory.

What is first step of the scientific method and what does it entail?

The first step is proposing a theory. A theory is a conceptual representation/explanation of a phenomenon. Theories are attempts by researchers to represent processes.

What is the second step of the scientific method and what does it entail?

The second step is developing predictions about relationships between phenomena. Usually in the form of hypothesis. Hypothesis= prediction about what a researcher expects to find in a study. Or educated guesses (predictions) about relationships between variables.

What is the third step of the scientific method and what does it entail?

The third step is testing hypothesis or the observation step. A researcher can test hypotheses in multiple ways:
1. Empiricism= researcher can only research what they can observe.
2. Objectivity= the need for a researcher to be sure his emotions and personal feelings do not interfere with his research. All researchers should recognise that the choice of method they make is a subjective choice.
3. Control= the researcher makes sure personal biases and other influencing variables do not interfere with a project (or at least tries to prevent this).

What is the fourth step of the scientific method and what does it entail?

The fourth step is making empirical generalisations. Empirical generalisations are descriptions of phenomena based on what you know about them from previous research. Your generalisations should build on and/or refine theory in some way and if possible provide some practical (real-world) implications from the research you conducted.

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

Understanding Communication Research Methods A Theoretical and Practical Approach | 9781135053628 | Stephen M Croucher, et al

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