2 - Research Approaches in The Social Sciences

RESEARCH APPROACHES IN THE SOCIAL
SCIENCES
DICKSON P. PAGENTE, LPT, PhD
College Instructor | Research Director
College Department, SAIT
• QUANTITATIVE APPROACH – research that is based
on measurement and quantification of data.
• QUALITATIVE APPROACH – gives emphasis on the

qualities of entities and on processes and meanings that
are not experimentally examined or measured in terms of
quantity, amount, intensity, or frequency.
• MIXED-METHOD APPROACH – a combination of both

approaches (quantitative and qualitative approaches).
Approaches in Research
1. BASIC INTERPRETATIVE STUDIES
It provides descriptive accounts targeted to understanding a
phenomenon using data that might be collected in a variety of
ways, such as interviews, observations, and document review.
Example: a study describing how teachers perceive their role

in selecting curriculum
2. CASE STUDIES
A type of ethnographic research study that focuses on a
single unit, such as one individual, one group, one organization, or one
program. The goal is to arrive at a detailed description and
understanding of the entity (the “case”). Multiple methods are used in
collecting data such as interviews, observation, and archives.
Example: a case study conducted on students in one high

school who all achieved at a high level on a national achievement test
Qualitative Research
3. DOCUMENT OR CONTENT ANALYSIS
It focuses on analysing and interpreting recorded material to learn
about human behaviour. The material may be public records, textbooks,
letters, films, tapes, diaries, themes, reports, or other documents.
Example: a study on the employment status of married women

teachers in the 21st century
4. ETHNOGRAPHY
It is an in-depth study of naturally occurring behaviour within a
culture or social group. The researcher observes group behaviour as it occurs
naturally in the setting, without any simulation or imposed structure. This
type of research requires prolonged observation of the setting, interviewing
members of the culture, and the studying documents and artifacts.
Example: a study comparing the educational experience of students in

urban and rural schools
5. GROUNDED THEORY
It is a research designed to develop a theory of social phenomena
based on the field of data collected in a study. Experience with the
data generates insights, hypotheses, and questions, which
researchers pursue with further data collection.
Example: a grounded theory study of student perceptions of

instructor presence in online classes
6. HISTORICAL RESEARCH
It analyses documents and artifacts and/or uses interviews
with eyewitnesses to gain insight into past events.
Example: a study on the evolution of technology from its

beginnings to present
7. NARRATIVE INQUIRY
In narrative inquiry, the researchers examine the stories people
tell about their lives and co-construct a narrative analysis of those
stories. Narrative analysis has also been referred to using terms
such as life stories.
Example: the life story of President Rodrigo R. Duterte
8. PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDIES
It begins with an assumption that multiple realities are rooted in
subjects’ perspectives. Thus, an experience has different meanings
for each person. Through unstructured interviews, the investigator
explores the subject’s thoughts and feelings to elicit the essence of an
individual’s experience.
Example: a phenomenological study on soldiers experience during the

Marawi siege
1. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
It involves a study of the effect of the systematic
manipulation of one variable (s) on another variable. The
manipulated variable is called the experimental treatment
or the independent variable. The observed and measured
variable is called the dependent variable.
SECTION A SECTION B
(traditional IMs) (modern IMs)
Quantitative Research
2. NONEXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
a. Ex Post Facto Research. The researcher identifies
variables and may look for relationships among them but
does not manipulate the variables.
WORKING FULLTIME
STUDENTS STUDENTS
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (Grades)
The researcher categorizes the participants or

respondents into at least two groups in one variable
(academic achievement or grade).
2. NONEXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH
b. Correlational Research. The researcher gathers
data from individuals on two or more variables and then seeks to
determine if the variables are related (correlated).
ACADEMIC
STUDY HABITS
PERFORMANCE
FRESHMEN COLLEGE STUDENTS
The researcher deals with one group of participants or

respondents measured on at least two continuous
variables (study habits and academic performance).

2 - Research Approaches in The Social Sciences

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

2 - Research Approaches in The Social Sciences

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

2 - Research Approaches in The Social Sciences

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

RESEARCH APPROACHES IN THE SOCIAL

• QUALITATIVE APPROACH – gives emphasis on the

• MIXED-METHOD APPROACH – a combination of both

Example: a study describing how teachers perceive their role

Example: a case study conducted on students in one high

Example: a study on the employment status of married women

Example: a study comparing the educational experience of students in

Example: a grounded theory study of student perceptions of

Example: a study on the evolution of technology from its

Example: the life story of President Rodrigo R. Duterte

Example: a phenomenological study on soldiers experience during the

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (Grades)

The researcher categorizes the participants or

FRESHMEN COLLEGE STUDENTS

The researcher deals with one group of participants or

You might also like