Social, Educational and Applied Research

What this unit covers

The unit brings together research methods as they are used in social science, education and business. The mind map Social research sets out epistemology, research methodologies and the process of social research. The mind map Science & Research looks at how we know what is real, including agreement reality. Other maps cover sampling, content analysis, structured interviews, projective techniques and observation.

Educational and applied research

For education, look at the mind map Educational Research, which describes research as a search for new knowledge and sets out three paradigms. There are also maps on action research, including What is action research?, and on the importance of research in education. The flashcard deck Why Study Educational Research? is a short way in. Business and management material appears too, such as Reflexivity in Management Research and the Market Research flashcards.

Where to start

1. Begin with a broad map such as Social research to see the shape of the field.
2. Read the Babbie Slides notes for measurement, survey research, sampling and quantitative analysis.
3. Move to the flashcard deck Ex Post Facto and Correlational Research for key definitions.
4. Check yourself with Research Methods Multiple Choice or Social science research style quizzes.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then take a quiz on the same topic. Where you miss a question, go back to the matching branch of the map and read it again. Flashcards work well for definitions, such as the decks on ethics and politics in social research and on quantitative and qualitative strategies. Teachers can use the flowcharts, such as the one on educational research methods, as classroom handouts.

Where this fits

This unit sits in the strand Research Approaches and Fields, within the subject Research methods and academic skills. Pick one resource today and see how far it takes you.