Unit 11: Research Methodologies in Social Sciences - IB Board Grade 12 – Individuals and Societies
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Unit 11: Research Methodologies in Social Sciences

Unit 11: Research Methodologies in Social Sciences

Research methodologies in social sciences encompass systematic processes for collecting and interpreting information related to human behavior and societal trends. This chapter outlines the importance of qualitative and quantitative research methods, highlights various data collection techniques, emphasizes ethical practices, and illustrates data analysis and interpretation strategies essential for conducting responsible social research.

37 sections

Sections

Navigate through the learning materials and practice exercises.

  1. 11
    Research Methodologies In Social Sciences

    This section explores various research methodologies within the social...

  2. 11.1
    Introduction To Research In Social Sciences

    This section defines research in social sciences and highlights its...

  3. 11.1.1
    Definition Of Research

    Research in social sciences is a systematic approach to collecting and...

  4. 11.1.2
    Importance Of Research In Social Sciences

    Research in social sciences is crucial for understanding human behavior and...

  5. 11.2
    Qualitative And Quantitative Research Methods

    This section contrasts qualitative and quantitative research methods,...

  6. 11.2.1
    Quantitative Research

    Quantitative research focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis to...

  7. 11.2.1.1
    Characteristics

    This section outlines the characteristics of quantitative and qualitative...

  8. 11.2.1.2

    This section offers practical examples to illustrate qualitative and...

  9. 11.2.2
    Qualitative Research

    Qualitative research focuses on understanding human experiences and social...

  10. 11.2.2.1
    Characteristics

    This section outlines the key characteristics that differentiate qualitative...

  11. 11.2.2.2

    This section highlights various examples of qualitative and quantitative...

  12. 11.2.3
    Mixed-Methods Research

    Mixed-methods research integrates both qualitative and quantitative...

  13. 11.3
    Data Collection Techniques

    This section discusses various data collection techniques used in social...

  14. 11.3.1

    Surveys are a key data collection technique in social science research,...

  15. 11.3.1.1

    This section highlights the advantages of using various data collection...

  16. 11.3.1.2
    Disadvantages

    This section outlines the key disadvantages associated with various data...

  17. 11.3.2

    This section discusses interviews as a qualitative data collection...

  18. 11.3.2.1

    This section outlines the various advantages of employing specific data...

  19. 11.3.2.2
    Disadvantages

    This section outlines the disadvantages of various data collection...

  20. 11.3.3
    Observations

    Observations are a crucial data collection technique in social sciences,...

  21. 11.3.3.1

    This section explores the various types of research methodologies utilized...

  22. 11.3.3.2

    This section outlines the key advantages of various data collection...

  23. 11.3.3.3
    Disadvantages

    This section reviews the disadvantages of various data collection techniques...

  24. 11.3.4
    Case Studies

    This section explores the significance of case studies as a research method...

  25. 11.3.4.1

    This section highlights the advantages of various data collection techniques...

  26. 11.3.4.2
    Disadvantages

    The section discusses the disadvantages associated with various social...

  27. 11.4
    Ethical Considerations In Research

    This section outlines the key ethical principles that must be adhered to in...

  28. 11.4.1
    Informed Consent

    Informed consent ensures that research participants are fully aware of the...

  29. 11.4.2
    Confidentiality And Anonymity

    Confidentiality and anonymity are crucial ethical considerations in social...

  30. 11.4.3
    Avoidance Of Harm

    Research should ensure that participants are not subjected to psychological,...

  31. 11.4.4
    Integrity And Honesty

    This section emphasizes the importance of integrity and honesty in research,...

  32. 11.4.5
    Ethical Review Boards (Erbs)

    ERBs ensure that research is conducted ethically, protecting participants'...

  33. 11.5
    Data Analysis And Interpretation

    The section focuses on methods and tools for analyzing and interpreting data...

  34. 11.5.1
    Quantitative Data Analysis

    Quantitative data analysis involves the use of statistical techniques to...

  35. 11.5.2
    Qualitative Data Analysis

    Qualitative data analysis involves methods for interpreting non-numerical...

  36. 11.5.3
    Data Interpretation

    Data interpretation involves understanding the significance of research...

  37. 11.6

    This chapter presents an overview of research methodologies in social...

What we have learnt

  • Research in social sciences involves systematic analysis of social phenomena.
  • Qualitative and quantitative methods each have unique characteristics and applications.
  • Ethical considerations are crucial in designing and conducting research.

Key Concepts

-- Qualitative Research
A research method focused on understanding meanings and concepts through non-numerical data.
-- Quantitative Research
A research method that utilizes numerical data for statistical analysis to test hypotheses.
-- MixedMethods Research
An approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods to provide more comprehensive insights.
-- Ethical Considerations
Guidelines that researchers must follow to ensure integrity, respect, and non-harm to participants.
-- Data Analysis
The process of interpreting collected data to derive insights and conclusions.

Additional Learning Materials

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