Major Types of Social Research
Social research can be categorized depending on the function and the aim of the research. There are those types of research that target the final use as well as the intended audience. This type of research can further be grouped into basic and applied research. Primary research includes academic principles which are derived from the most basic and original knowledge. The applied research is attributed to solving existing problems for society.
In most cases, the applied research is not based on theory; rather it is attributed to practical knowhow. Social research can also be categorized based on the functions of the research into exploration, descriptive, and critical research. This category of social research is driven by the topic under study. It is aimed at finding more details, analyze and account for the outcomes and gives a simple explanation of what the outcomes mean. Also, social research can be classified into those within or beyond the cases under study. Social research like any other research requires data collection by different data collection methods such as experimentation and surveillance (Neuman, 2014).
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Theory and Research
The theory comes hand in hand with research. The theory helps researchers to gather relevant experience from a wide range of facts that are confusing in nature. It can be defined as a simplified proposition that related two or more variables. The theory provides different orientations of view of the whole situation under study. In the social field, the social theory could be viewed as a tool that gathers the ideas, merge and organize the ideas into measurable elements, and gives a general explanation of the outcome in terms of how and why the social aspects came to be. The social theory about research provides solutions that are more certain and dependable. Social theories like scientific theories come with assumption and concepts which are the foundations for any theory. The social theory also explains the existing among the concepts under research. The social theory is based on social units of analysis such as; an individual, a team, a country and organizations. Social theories are characterized by; analysis level, the extents of the theory, type and level of explanation expected, formal or informal approach, depth of analysis which could be minor or significant, and intended focus area which could be inductive or otherwise (Neuman, 2014).
Review of Literature and Conducting Ethical Studies
The purpose of a literature review in research is to enable researchers to gather data and information from previous research. Using this data, they can identify the existing gaps that will form their basis of research. As an ethical behavior, it is essential to recognize the person authors of such resources. Conducting ethical studies means that the researchers must use research methodology and processes that are ever striving for accuracy without compromising the secrecy deserved by some of the research. It is an ethical rule of thumb to produce a well-organized research design and the results and what the results implicate. Researchers should use research tools that match the level of research under study (Neuman, 2014).
The general interpretation of the chapters
It can be drawn from the chapters that any research conducted should address a specified need or social problem. All researches conducted should follow an ethical path and must be accompanied by theories to form as the fabric for facts. Social theories are the backbones for social research and should always be aimed at upholding the well-being of society.
Reference
Neuman W.L (2014) Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches . Seventh Edition. Pearson Education Limited Publishers, UK
