Module Two: Exploring Social Science Issues, continued I Learning Block 2-1 I Page 1 of 2
Introduction to the Scientif i c Method
The scientif i c method* is, simply put, a way to approach scientif i c research. It is a set of processes and procedures that are used to answer specif i c questions in a measurable, meaningful, repeatable way. This is done by gathering data, analyzing that data, and then drawing appropriate conclusions about the f i ndings. In the social sciences, investigators are particularly interested in determining why and how people act and think the way that they do. The full process is as follows:
Identify a problem and ask a question
Review the literature
Form a hypothesis
Collect and analyze data
Draw conclusions
Identify research limitations and ask another question
Identify a Problem and Ask a Question
question on that topic. Social science issues are typically focused on the factors shaping, inf I uencing, and motivating human behavior and attitudes For example, a social science issue could be: "the ef f ect of social media on human interaction." Questions surrounding this issue could ask how or why behaviors change when using social media versus interacting face-to-face
Review the Literature
Next, an investigator must perform a background search on his or her question. This is also known as "reviewing the literature." In this stage, it is important to f i nd papers and books written by members of a discipline. For one thing, maybe your question has already been answered! Background
even more pressing one.
Looking at the work that's already been done can help guide the next steps; it may become clear what the means of gathering data is, or it may give insight as to what other resources are out there. Finally, it can help a researcher gather support that there is a need to answer these questions
Form a Hypothesis
a hypothesis after reviewing the literature. A hypothesis is a statement about what the researcher expects to f i nd.
After the hypothesis is formed, the researcher needs to test it. A hypothesis gains support when you can demonstrate the opposite of the hypothesis, or the null hypothesis, is false. While it is not possible to prove def i nitively and
false.
Collect and Analyze Data
Once the hypothesis is formed, it needs to be tested. This can be done in a number of ways. Researchers can send out surveys or questionnaires observe participants, conduct interviews, perform case studies, or design and run controlled experiments with selected participants. Additionally
literature.
Once enough data has been collected, it needs to be analyzed. In the case of most experimental studies, this includes some form of statistical analysis to show that the results are meaningful and can be applied to a larger population.
Draw Conclusions
This can also just mean, "to make sense of the data." This can be done by continuously comparing the results to the hypothesis and asking whether or not it fails to