Research Methodology in Social Science

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Framework for evaluating qualitative research Methods. 3. Social science research methods innovation. 4. Qualitative research methods in social science. 5. Combined methods approach to researching education and social issues. 6. Methodology for conducting interdisciplinary social research. 7. The Ethics of social research. 8. Rising to the challenge: Integrating social science. 9. Unobtrusive methods in social research. 10. Social and behavioural research and Internet. 11. Mixed methods research; a research paradigm. 12. Making Research Real: Is Action Research a suitable methodology. 13. Comparative personality research: Methodological approach. Bibliography. Index.

Research is of two types, Pure or Basic and Applied. Pure or Basic Research involves knowledge for the sake of knowledge. A scholar of pure knowledge may see acquisition of knowledge satisfying in itself irrespective of the fact whether it is of any practical use of not. It is an intellectual satisfaction which is an end in itself. In Applied research the basic purpose is to put knowledge to practical use. A researcher in applied knowledge would be more interested in trying to find some utility out of it which may bring some improvement in the practical life. He thus works with certain values, norms and preferences which become the end product. The research enterprise includes many roles-those of scholar, subject, funding authority, and society to name a few. The people who occupy those roles have needs and wants that sometimes converge and sometimes conflict. (jacket)