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Sukanya Das, Lovely Professional University Unit-1: Elements of Scientific Methods and Various Steps in Social Research

Unit-1: Elements of Scientific Methods and Various Steps notes

in Social Research

contents

objectives
introduction
1.1 Meaning of science
1.2 Main elements (Characteristics) of science

1.3 Meaning of Scientific Method
1.4 Characteristics of Scientific Method
1.5 Major steps in social research
1.6 summary

1.7 Keywords
1.8 review Questions
1.9 further readings

objectives

After studying this unit students will be able to:
y The meaning of scientific method and information on its main elements and on features.
y Different steps of social research and its information.

introduction

Science in itself is not a subject but an object which has been obtained through scientific methods.
Scientific methods are used in Natural Sciences, similarly in Social Sciences too, these are used to
understand social incidents. therefore, it is very important for any subject matter or material to
make it a science that how the matter is obtained. If scientific methods are used to understand social
happenings then it will be called a science. stuart Chase has written that science is related to methods
and not with subject matter. the same thing is expressed by Professor Green that the meaning of
science is taken by the methods it is researched. This is clear that any subject where scientific methods
is used is science whether it is science , Natural science or social sciences . Here it is important to
understand the meaning of science to know what is Scientific methods.

1.1 Meaning of science

Generally science is understood to be subject Matter. subjects such as Chemistry, Physics , Biology,
Botany etc. are considered sciences only. subjects which study social facts and happenings, social

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