SOCIAL SCIENCES METHODOLOGIES

Social Sciences Methodologies

Social Sciences Methodologies

Introduction

In the search for meaningful facts to test and bolster their hypothesis, leading to valid theories, social scientists, use a number of research methods.

These methods may be historical- that is, they may include a perusal of documents such as public records, newspaper, legal codes, court records, minutes of various committees, and annual reports of corporations; they may be comparative and cross cultural, in which comparisons of different societies—or specific segments of them—are made for the purpose of tracing cultural patterns to determine either their universality or their uniqueness (these methods are especially used in anthropology); or they may be mathematical, based on complicated calculations using mathematical and statistical principles to express ideas.

Discussion

Sample Survey

The article 'imitation of film-mediated aggressive models,' is based on the sample survey. Sample research design consists of two separate features, the sample and the survey. The researcher decides to study a specific group, which is called the population, a statistical concept referring to the totality of the phenomenon under investigation. There are procedures that allow researchers to select such a sample. Only if the sample distribution is truly representative of the total number of population can generalize about the results of research be made (Ross, Bandura & Ross, 1963).

The next step is to survey the sample population. Surveying involves collecting data by means of questionnaires, personal interviews, statistical information, or probing of attitudes. Most important, relationships among variables are analyzed. In this article based on personal interview is being conducted.

If the survey continues over a longer period, engaging in contrasts and comparisons, it is referred to as a longitudinal study.

The sample survey is a useful research design, yielding accurate results for some investigative questions but not for others. It is comparatively easy to establish factual information with the sample survey technique, ...