Page 62 - DLIS407_INFORMATION AND LITERATURE SURVEY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

Unit 8: Types of Social Science Research

4. Implement the change in the course/classroom. Notes
5. Observe the class/course (as in Step 1) while implementing the change.
6. Code the new observation(s) as in Step 2.
7. Finally, compare the coded sessions to determine the results of the change.
Action research or participatory action research has emerged in recent years as a significant
methodology for intervention, development and change within communities and groups. It is now
promoted and implemented by many international development agencies and university programmes,
as well as countless local community organizations around the world.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
1. Pure research is also known as basic or …………….research.
2. Action research is a type of …………….study.
3. …………….research is preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about which the researcher
has little or no knowledge.
4. …………..research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world, rather than
to acquire knowledge for knowledge’s sake.

8.7 Summary

y Fundamental research or basic research (sometimes pure research) is research carried out to
increase understanding of fundamental principles.

y Recent trends in Social Science research shows that there is still a lot of scope for conducting
research on issues of critical socio-economic concern in the country.
y While social science research has historically been the domain of government level academic
and research institutes, in recent decades many private and non-governmental organisations
have also been engaged in such research.

8.8 Keywords

Applied Research: Applied research is designed to solve practical problems of the modern world,
rather than to acquire knowledge for knowledge’s sake.
Exploratory Research: Exploratory research is preliminary study of an unfamiliar problem about
which the researcher has little or no knowledge.

8.9 Review Questions

1. What are the different types of social science research?
2. Write a short note on the following:
y Pure research
y Action research
y Descriptive study

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