Dimensions of Research

1. Dimensions of Research • Four dimensions: • Use • Purpose • Time • Data Collection • Decisions points when moving through the beginning of a research project

2. Use of Research • Social research is often considered to have 2 orientations: applied and basic (or pure) • In reality, these orientations intertwine • Most applied research contributes to our understanding of the social world • Most basic research is applicable to policy situations

3. Basic Research • Focuses on refuting or supporting theories about social life • Source of most new ideas and theories • Theory construction, in particular, can take years of work • Builds these ideas through cycles of research, replication, and revision

4. Basic Research • Also produces most of the new methods in the discipline • Usually the testing ground for new methods and instruments • Typically complies strongly with the scientific norms of organized skepticism and disinterestedness

5. Basic Research • Mostly performed by academics • Some basic research crosses disciplines • Mostly consumed by academics • A small percentage of this research reaches the mass media and public

6. Applied Research • Conducted to address a specific concern or develop and solution • Usually sponsored by some agency or organization • Often specific to only one situation or population

7. Applied Research • Because applied research is usually specific to one situation, its use by others often leads to misinterpretation • It may also be heavily influenced by its sponsors • It may be controversial in its findings

8. Applied Research • Mostly performed by govt. officials, think tanks, educational institutions, private agencies, etc. • Mostly consumed by practitioners like lawyers, social workers, teachers, etc. • Results may be used by several people outside of the researcher

9. Types of Applied Research • Evaluation • Evaluates a program—does it work? • May be conducted internally or externally • Can be hampered by ethical and political concerns • Much evaluation research is funded by the government to evaluate its policy outcomes

10. Types of Applied Research • Action Research • Research tied to social action and change • Advance causes through public awareness • Social Impact Assessment Research • Estimates the consequences of a planned program • Usually commissioned by government agencies

11. Purposes of Research • Exploratory, Descriptive and Explanatory • Typically only one dominant research purpose • Generally, the progress of a research areas flows from exploratory to descriptive to explanatory

12. Exploratory Research • For new or undiscovered topics • Uncovers basic facts about the topic • Formulates and focuses questions for later studies • Suggests directions and feasibility of future research • Usually focused on the “what,” not the “why”

13. Exploratory Research • May not have a specific research question • Can be challenging because there are few guidelines to follow and the goals may change • Frequently uses qualitative techniques to develop initial data and ideas • Makes use of creativity and serendipity

14. Descriptive Research • Presents a picture with specific details of the situation or behavior • Requires a focused research question/topic • Often blurs with/follows exploratory research • Focuses on “how” and “who” questions • Is necessary for good explanatory research

15. Explanatory Research • Focuses on “why”, or the reason a situation or behavior occurs • Builds on exploratory and descriptive research, and other explanatory research • Uses theory • Much of the research published in journals is explanatory

16. Time Dimensions • Some research neglects the element of time, other research focuses heavily on time • Cross-Sectional • Observations at a limited point in time • Frequently used by social scientists • Although it does not capture time, change, or process, it is often used in explanatory research

17. Longitudinal Research • Much more expensive and time-consuming than cross-sectional • Time-series: multiple observations over time of the several units • Panel Study: multiple observations over time of the same units • Cohort Study: multiple observations over time of similar units

18. Case Studies • Investigates only a few cases but in depth • Data is more varied, detailed and extensive • Two common approaches: • 2 cases with similar outcomes but different paths • 2 cases with different outcomes but similar paths • May be cross-sectional or longitudinal, exploratory, descriptive or explanatory

19. Quantitative vs. Qualitative • Quantitative: data that can be expressed numerically • Qualitative: data typically in the form of words or pictures • Most research topics can be studied both quantitatively or qualitatively • However, most research questions are best suited to one or the other

20. Quantitative vs. Qualitative • Qualitative Research Questions: • What motivates people to participate in STIC? • Why are some people and countries more ignorant of STIC? • Quantitative Research Questions: • Does marital status affect STIC participation? • Is STIC knowledge greater in highly educated persons/countries?

21. Quantitative vs. Qualitative • Quantitative is somewhat more common in sociology overall • Qualitative is more common is some fields, such as the sociology of gender or emotions • Most research projects could benefit from both approaches

22. Which Type Do You Do? • The process of focusing your research question often helps you determine the use, purpose and structure of your study • Other elements like time availability, resources and skills must also be considered • There is usually not one right way to study anything

23. Chapter Summary • Use: • Basic: produces new knowledge • Applied: produces answers and solutions • Purpose: • Exploratory: uncover new elements\relationships • Descriptive: detailed picture • Explanatory: examines causal relationships

24. Chapter Summary • Time • Cross-Sectional: observations at one time point • Longitudinal: observations across time points • Design • Qualitative: open questions and verbal data • Quantitative: specific questions and numeric data • Choices are guided by your question and resources