Social Research Design and Methods

(Social Research Methods, 4th Edition, Alan Bryman)

1. Key Criteria in Social Research

1. Reliability: Consistency of measures; repeatability of results.
2. Replication: The ability to reproduce a study under the same conditions.
3. Validity:
   • Measurement Validity: Does the measure reflect the intended concept?
   • Internal Validity: Establishing causality between variables.
   • External Validity: Generalizability of findings beyond the study sample.
   • Ecological Validity: Applicability of findings to real-world settings.

2. Five Research Designs

1. Experimental Design:
   • Manipulates independent variables to observe effects on dependent variables.
   • Includes true experiments and quasi-experiments.
   • Strengths: High internal validity.
   • Weaknesses: Limited generalizability, ethical concerns.
2. Cross-Sectional Design:
   • Collects data at one point in time from multiple cases.
   • Methods: Surveys, structured interviews, observations.
   • Strengths: Captures associations between variables.
   • Weaknesses: Ambiguity in causal relationships, low internal validity.
3. Longitudinal Design:
   • Collects data over time from the same cases.
   • Types: Panel studies, cohort studies.
   • Strengths: Tracks changes, supports causal inferences.
   • Weaknesses: Time-consuming, prone to participant attrition.
4. Case Study Design:
   • Focuses on an in-depth analysis of a single case or a small number of cases.
   • Strengths: Rich, detailed insights into specific contexts.
   • Weaknesses: Limited generalizability.
5. Comparative Design:
   • Examines two or more cases to identify similarities or differences.
   • Strengths: Highlights contextual variation and patterns.
   • Weaknesses: Requires comparable cases and extensive data.

3. Trustworthiness in Qualitative Research

Qualitative researchers emphasize:

1. Credibility: Parallel to internal validity (believability of findings).
2. Transferability: Parallel to external validity (applicability to other contexts).
3. Dependability: Parallel to reliability (stability over time).
4. Confirmability: Parallel to objectivity (neutrality in interpretation).

4. Key Concepts

• Variables:
  • Independent (cause) vs. Dependent (effect).
  • Measurement properties: Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, Ratio.
• Naturalism: Emphasizes studying phenomena in their natural settings without artificial interference.

5. Important Takeaways

• Choose research designs based on research questions, context, and resources.
• Internal validity (causality) is stronger in experimental designs.
• Cross-sectional and longitudinal designs balance generalizability and causality.
• Qualitative research prioritizes context, meaning, and trustworthiness.