SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH METHODS
The Sample Survey
These ask questions of a group of people who represent a larger group
Ex. Polls, ratings.
The Case Study
Studies an individual or small part of a community in order to better
understand their behaviour
Ex. Students in grade nine (smokers)
The Experiment
These are designed to see how one factor is related to the other. One factor (part) is changed and the effect on the other factor is noted. Experiments are more frequently used in the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, etc) due to the question of ethical behaviour and the use of human subjects. Ex. Rat in a maze
Interviews
Interviews are used when a researcher requires detailed information from a few people and is looking for explanations or
descriptions of thought and behaviour
Ex. An interview with an expert in a particular subject, area or topic
ObservationA method that enables a researcher to learn about
people in their normal surroundings. There are three types: unstructured, structured and participant
observation
Note: Interviews and observation both provide less concrete data and therefore are more difficult to
graphically analyze