Page 52 - DLIS407_INFORMATION AND LITERATURE SURVEY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

Jovita Kaur, Lovely Professional University Unit 7: Social Science Research Trends

Unit 7: Social Science Research Trends Notes

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
7.1 Scope of Social Science Research
7.2 Approaches to Social Science Research
7.2.1 Historical Approach
7.2.2 Descriptive Research
7.2.3 Case Study
7.2.4 Experimental Approach
7.3 Summary
7.4 Keywords
7.5 Review Questions
7.6 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
y Describe the scope of social science research
y Explain the key approaches of social science research.

Introduction

The term Social Science research may be defined as a systematic method of exploring, analysing and
conceptualising human life in order to extend, correct or verify knowledge of human behaviour and
social life. In a world which is growing every day, in terms of population and knowledge, it is extremely
important to understand how different societies work and influence each other. Social science research
is an important tool to understand how society functions, and how human beings in society influence
each other. Social science research deals with social phenomena and attitudes of human beings as
members of a society under different circumstances and situations. Social science research helps every
nation in the formulation of legislations and policies, schemes and programmes on socio-economic
issues and has been an extremely essential tool for the government and the people.

Notes Functions of Social Science Research
The functions of Social Science Research are varied. They are:
y Discovery of facts and their interpretation
y Diagnosis of Problems and their analysis

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