Quantitative research: Methods in the social sciences

2006 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
The Social

Research Methods in the Social Sciences: An A-Z of key concepts

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Key Concepts

Research Methods in the Social Sciences features chapters that cover a wide range of concepts, methods, and theories. Each chapter begins with an introduction to a method, using real-world examples from a wide range of academic disciplines, before discussing the benefits and limitations of the approach, its current status in academic practice, and finally providing tips and advice on when and how to apply the method in research. The text covers both well-established concepts and emerging ideas, such as big data and network analysis, for qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Stirring the Frequentist Pot with a Dash of Bayes

2006 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Turning Point ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Social Inquiry ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Social ◽  
Good Research

Rethinking Social Inquiry (RSI) is a key turning point in a long arc of development and contestation within and between qualitative and quantitative research methods in the social sciences. It builds on and further advances three important trends in these research methods: a renaissance in qualitative methods in the last decade, the continuing refinement of statistical and formal methods, and a nascent convergence of methodologists of all kinds behind a more pluralistic vision of methodology that includes growing interest in multimethod work. RSI achieves these contributions not just substantively but symbolically, bringing together leading methodologists in the quantitative and qualitative traditions, most notably the editors themselves, to address the tough issue of what would constitute shared standards for good research regardless of method. Although much of the initial commentary on RSI will no doubt focus on its critiques of Designing Social Inquiry, I suspect that in the long run the subtitle of RSI (“Diverse Tools, Shared Standards”) better captures what will be its lasting contribution to the social sciences.

A Tale of Two Cultures

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary Goertz ◽  
James Mahoney
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Social ◽  
Scientific Worldview ◽  
Different Cultures

Some in the social sciences argue that the same logic applies to both qualitative and quantitative research methods. This book demonstrates that these two paradigms constitute different cultures, each internally coherent yet marked by contrasting norms, practices, and toolkits. The book identifies and discusses major differences between these two traditions that touch nearly every aspect of social science research, including design, goals, causal effects and models, concepts and measurement, data analysis, and case selection. Although focused on the differences between qualitative and quantitative research, the book also seeks to promote toleration, exchange, and learning by enabling scholars to think beyond their own culture and see an alternative scientific worldview. The book is written in an easily accessible style and features a host of real-world examples to illustrate methodological points.

scholarly journals REALISATION OF ETHICS IN THE ACTIVITY OF A SOCIAL WORKER

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Irena Leliūgienė ◽  
Violeta Andrijevska ◽  
Angelė Kaušylienė
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Social Work Values ◽  
Research Survey ◽  
The Social

The article presents the results of the research in the realisation of ethics in social work activities. Social work is a complex and multifaceted profession in which  practice is based on strong values. Social work values and ethical principles have been a particularly acute and debatable topic since ancient times.  It has always been noticed that social work practical activities raise ethical issues and dilemmas. Ethical problems and their solutions are basic problems in the development of social work as a profession. Due to these reasons, the main goal of this article was set: to reveal how ethics are implemented by social workers in practice. In order to achieve the goal, the following objectives were set: 1.  to explore the concept of ethics and values in social work context. 2.  to analyse how the social worker's ethical standards are being implemented in various fields of activity. 3.  to examine how ethics is realised in practice by the social workers of N District Municipality. In order to achieve the goal and tasks,  the concept of ethics and values in social work was discussed as well as the analysis of social work ethics  was implemented in various branches and spheres of activity. To reveal the topic, the research (survey) was carried out, which was attended by the N District Municipality social workers. Closed-ended questions were analysed by quantitative research methods and open-ended questions were processed by qualitative research methods. The results revealed that social workers of  N District Municipality knew the ethical standards of their profession and implemented them in all the mentioned aspects of ethical codes. Social workers identified five main reasons which cause violations of ethical standards in their practice: apathy of colleagues, heavy workload, lack of offices,  problematic clients and nervous tension at work.

The origins, development, and application of Qualitative Comparative Analysis: the first 25 years

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Marx ◽  
Benoît Rihoux ◽  
Charles Ragin
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Quarter Century ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Social

A quarter century ago, in 1987, Charles C. Ragin published The Comparative Method, introducing a new method to the social sciences called Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). QCA is a comparative case-oriented research approach and collection of techniques based on set theory and Boolean algebra, which aims to combine some of the strengths of qualitative and quantitative research methods. Since its launch in 1987, QCA has been applied extensively in the social sciences. This review essay first sketches the origins of the ideas behind QCA. Next, the main features of the method, as presented in The Comparative Method, are introduced. A third part focuses on the early applications. A fourth part presents early criticisms and subsequent innovations. A fifth part then focuses on an era of further expansion in political science and presents some of the main applications in the discipline. In doing so, this paper seeks to provide insights and references into the origin and development of QCA, a non-technical introduction to its main features, the path travelled so far, and the diversification of applications.

scholarly journals Cultivation Effects of Social Media on Cognitive, Social and Moral Skills of Adolescents in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 419-436
Author(s):  
Aemen Khalid ◽  
Taimoor Ul Hassan ◽  
Ghulam Shabir
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Cultivation Theory ◽  
Cognitive Effects ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
The Social

This research work aims to find out social, cognitive and moral effects of facebook on adolescents in Pakistan, because about 65% of the country comprises on adolescents. The researcher applied quantitative research methods, while survey was conducted for the collection of data. Structured questionnaires were used for collection of data. Data was collected through purposive sampling method. Data was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The findings revealed that social media, particularly Facebook has cognitive, social and moral effects, which improve their skills to in-touch with relatives, peers and friends to improve social circle, cognitive effects to enhance creativity and mental level during the studies and moral effects where, they bear to respond the slang and abusive language as well as abusive comments on other posts related to their political and religious beliefs. This study also tests the cultivation theory with regard to social media and generated user categories according to their usage of facebook for future researchers. The results of the study justified the objectives and hypotheses of the study, where it has been recommended to parents, teachers and government to regulate the social media in the country to overcome the abuses.   

scholarly journals Engaging Social Science Students with Statistics: Opportunities, Challenges and Barriers

Numeracy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Brookfield ◽  
Malcolm Williams ◽  
Luke Sloan ◽  
Emily Maule
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Quantitative Approaches

In 2012, in a bid to improve the quantitative methods training of social science students in the UK, the £19.5 million Q-Step project was launched. This investment demonstrated a significant commitment to changing how we train social science students in quantitative research methods in the UK. The project has involved eighteen higher education institutions exploring and trialling potential ways of engaging social science students with quantitative approaches. This paper reflects on the activities of one Q-Step centre based in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University. As well as describing some of the pedagogic changes that have been implemented, the paper draws on data to begin to evaluate the success of new approaches. Specifically, data showing the proportion of students undertaking a quantitative final-year dissertation project is used to measure the impact of these activities. The data presented in this paper suggest that resistance to learning quantitative research methods and engaging with such techniques has decreased. The data also indicates that students see this learning as beneficial for their own employability. Despite this, closer analysis reveals that several students change their mind about employing quantitative methods in their own research part way through their dissertation journey. We argue that while social science students are comfortable learning about quantitative approaches, they are less confident at applying these techniques. Thus, the paper argues that there is a wider challenge of demonstrating the relevance and appropriateness of such approaches to understanding the social world.

scholarly journals Social and Institutional Construction of Regional Borders in the Western and Northern Lands – on the example of Żuławy and Powiśle

Politeja ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (53) ◽  
pp. 305-334
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Paprot-Wielopolska
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Research Perspectives ◽  
The Social ◽  
Conceptual Maps ◽  
Institutional Construction ◽  
Second World ◽  
Depth Interviews

This article discusses the creation of contemporary regional borders in the Western and Northern Lands, which were incorporated into Poland after the Second World War. Using the example of Żuławy and Powiśle, the author presents an anthropological analysis of the social, cultural, and administrative developments in the region, as well as the effect of those changes on the perception of these areas by their current inhabitants. Hence, she describes the strategies used to legitimise the borders of Żuławy and Powiśle by the local communities and institutions. The author discusses different approaches to the notion of regional borders, and their relation to historical, cultural, geographic and administrative borders. She further analyses the emergence of regional borderlands, centres, and peripheries. Data regarding the borders of Żuławy and Powiśle has been collected using mixed methods research. Both qualitative research methods (conceptual maps, targeted in‑depth interviews conducted among leaders and representatives of institutions) and quantitative research methods (questionnaires conducted opposition, i.e. the factor that influences its power of action. This paper presents these problems together with certain methods of solving them used in the studies conducted. It was concluded that studies in the subject of opposition require various methods and different research perspectives, including behaviourism and interpretationism.

scholarly journals BRIDGING THE GAP

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan H. Hulstijn ◽  
Richard F. Young ◽  
Lourdes Ortega ◽  
Martha Bigelow ◽  
Robert DeKeyser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
American Association ◽  
Applied Linguistics ◽  
The Other ◽  
Quantitative Research Methods ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
The Social ◽  
L2 Learning ◽  
The One

For some, research in learning and teaching of a second language (L2) runs the risk of disintegrating into irreconcilable approaches to L2 learning and use. On the one side, we find researchers investigating linguistic-cognitive issues, often using quantitative research methods including inferential statistics; on the other side, we find researchers working on the basis of sociocultural or sociocognitive views, often using qualitative research methods including case studies and ethnography. Is there a gap in research in L2 learning and teaching? The present article developed from an invited colloquium at the 2013 meeting of the American Association for Applied Linguistics in Dallas, Texas. It comprises nine single-authored pieces, with an introduction and a conclusion by the coeditors. Our overarching goals are (a) to raise awareness of the limitations of addressing only the cognitive or only the social in research on L2 learning and teaching and (b) to explore ways of bridging and/or productively appreciating the cognitive-social gap in research. Collectively, the nine contributions advance the possibility that the approaches are not irreconcilable and that, in fact, cognitive researchers and social researchers will benefit by acknowledging insights and methods from one another.

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