The advance study of Social Science includes a series of process that contains gathering of data, determining the various relationships and drawing explanations – all in a systematic way. This series of systematic process or activity is what is termed as Research Methods. The in-depth study of this branch of science mainly follows five research methods:

Experimental: In this method, a variable is manipulated under some specific and pre-defined highly controlled conditions. The main objective is to see if there is any change in a second variable due to this process. The Experimental Method helps in the determination of the cause and effect relationships.

Correlation: This particular method is somewhat non-experimental and rather descriptive. Unlike the Experimental Method, the variables in the Correlation Method are not manipulated directly. It is rather a statistical tool that uses mathematical technique to summarize data. The main objective of this method lies in the determining of the degree and direction of a relationship in the behavior of two or more variables.

Natural Observation: The Natural Observation Method, as the term indicates is related to real life settings, that is includes careful observation and recording of some behaviors or phenomenon, but in its own natural setting. In the field of social sciences, this method sometimes includes observing the activities of animals or even humans, while they are engaged in their natural life settings.

Survey: This is again another research method that is non-experimental and descriptive as well. This is often the final result or conclusion drawn after a series of data is collected through various interviews or questionnaires. The Survey Method generally involves questions based on True and False or open ended ones that involve short answers too.

Case Study: The Case Study Research Method often means collecting of various observations and records related to any individual’s behaviors. The data collected is then examined considering the situations. The different data types in this case can vary from biographical data, medical records, to family history, interviews or observations and even can be based on various psychological tests performed.

More Articles :

• Areas Of Social Sciences
• Data Analysis In Social Science
• Definition For Social Science
• Social Sciences And Research Method
• What Are The Seven Social Sciences ?
• When Did The Social Sciences Come About ?
• Why Study Social Science ?