Social research is the systematic method of discovering new facts or verifying old facts, their sequences, interrelationships, causal explanations, and the natural laws which govern them.
Social research is based on logic and empirical observations. Charles C. Ragin, a social researcher, writes in his book Constructing Social Research that “Social research involves the interaction between ideas and evidence. Ideas help social researchers make sense of evidence, and researchers use evidence to extend, revise, and test ideas”.
Thus, social research attempts to create or validate theories through data collection and analysis, and its goal is exploration, description, explanation, and prediction. It should never lead or be mistaken with philosophy or belief.
Social research aims at finding social patterns of regularity in social life and usually deals with social groups (aggregates of individuals), not individuals themselves (although the science of psychology is an exception here).
A traditional definition of social research appears below:
Definition of Social Research
Social research is an inquiry to identify, explore, describe, understand, explain, evaluate, and predict social phenomena involving human behavior.
As it is implicit in the definition, social research involves the application of scientific methods through data collection for understanding, studying, and analyzing social life in order to modify, correct, or verify the existing knowledge as a system.
The information in the data would benefit society either through the direct application of findings to ameliorate social ills through the use of the findings to test theoretical issues in social sciences.
Examples of Social Research
Here are a few examples of social research;
Example #1
Although dowry demand is illegal under Bangladesh Dowry Prohibition Act 1980, the practice still persists as a custom, especially in rural Bangladesh.
Due to unpaid dowry, women are tortured by their husbands and in-laws, burnt by acid, or even murdered.
Despite serious growing concerns within government and civil societies, the practice of dowry has not decreased. In most cases, males’ attitudes were unfavorable.
Here it makes sense to undertake a study to explore possible ways to eliminate discrimination toward women and girls due to dowry.
Example #2
Empowerment and autonomy are essential for the achievement of sustainable development.
The full participation and partnership of both women and men are required in productive and reproductive life, including the sharing of responsibilities for the care and nurture of children as well as for the maintenance of the household.
In Bangladesh, women’s empowerment is high on the priority list to uplift women’s social and economic well-being and empowerment.
At the individual level, education, employment, and exposure to mass media all influence the development of a woman’s personality and can help strengthen her position in the household and society.
In the past, all three Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in Bangladesh enquired upon this issue to assess the extent to which the women in Bangladesh lag behind men in educational attainment, literacy, employment, and exposure to mass media.
Example #3
Azad and Wahid (2010: pp. 1-12) examined in their paper entitled ‘Role of Civil Society in Combating Corruption in Bangladesh’ that corruption has emerged as a common enemy in Bangladesh society in the last few years.
It has spread like an incurable disease that appears to be trickled down from top to bottom. This has assumed a pervasive character and occurred in all public sector spheres.
The authors, in their paper, explore the causes and consequences of corruption in Bangladesh. Alongside this, they examine the role of civil society in combating corruption in public sectors in Bangladesh.
Example #4
Based on secondary data, Wahid, Kabir, and Khan (2013: 87- 98) assessed the dynamics and causes of women trafficking and its impacts on a patriarchal society like Bangladesh in the era of globalization to find ways and means to eradicate this curse.
The results of this study indicate that trafficking has become a major issue of concern and that its intensity is growing day by day in Bangladesh.
It has also been found that the existing social structure, economic system, cultural conditions, and the country’s geographical setting are conducive to the trafficking of women and compel them to join the sex trade.
The study also confirms that the sex industry in Bangladesh is expanding because of globalization, which has ushered in sex tourism.
Dominant Factors of Ethics in Social Science Research
In terms of social science research thesis or publications, a number of key issues include and are not restricted even to other research (Hubert, 2008: 3 – 13).
These key factors in the ethical ground are predominantly significant in defining research on any social phenomena, whether real or fake. These factors are drawn in the following figure;
Honesty
Honesty and integrity are duties of each author and person, expert reviewer, and member of journal editorial boards.
Review Process
The peer-review process contributes to quality control and is an essential step to ascertain the standing and originality of the research (Hubert, 2007: 946-51).
Ethical Standards
Recent journal editorials presented some experiences of unscrupulous activities (Mavinic, 2006: iii-iv).
Authorship
Who may claim a right to authorship (Hubert, 2008). In which order should the authors be listed?
How is social research distinguished from other forms of research?
Social research is systematic and based on logic and empirical observations. It involves the interaction between ideas and evidence, aiming to make sense of evidence and use it to extend, revise, and test ideas.
What is the ultimate goal of social research?
The goal of social research is exploration, description, explanation, and prediction. It seeks to create or validate theories through data collection and analysis.
How does social research differ from philosophy or belief?
Social research should never lead or be mistaken for philosophy or belief. It aims to find social patterns of regularity in social life and deals with social groups, not individual beliefs.