Skills for Social Science: A Review of Research Methodologies

This report critically evaluates the skills necessary for social science research, focusing on academic writing styles and research methodologies. It begins with an introduction to academic writing, emphasizing its formal, concise, and structured nature, and the importance of evidence-based arguments. The report then delves into quantitative and qualitative research approaches, analyzing articles that employ positivism and interpretivism. The quantitative section examines articles utilizing positivism, such as the study of social phenomenon, while the qualitative section explores interpretative methods, including the use of research vignettes. The discussion section highlights the importance of observational, interpersonal, and communication skills, as well as the ability to interpret data and choose appropriate research methods. The conclusion reiterates the significance of academic writing, the selection of suitable research approaches, and the crucial skills needed for effective social science inquiry, emphasizing the roles of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Skills for the social science

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
a.) Key academic writing style and its importance.....................................................................1
b.) Introduction to the topic.........................................................................................................2
PART 2............................................................................................................................................2
Section 1: Positivistic (quantitative) articles...............................................................................2
Section 2: Interpretative (qualitative) articles.............................................................................4
Article 1: Qualitative Social Science in the UK: A Reflexive Commentary on the "State of the
Art"...................................................................................................................................................4
Article 3: Transparent Social Inquiry: Implications for Political Science.......................................5
Section 3: Discussion..................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Research for social enquiry is considered to be prominent because it helps in gathering
information, ask relevant set of questions and also examining the background to evaluate the
relevant set of information. This study focuses on examining key academic writing style and the
relevant importance associated with it. This study also analyse the research articles both
quantitative and qualitative to gain valid set of insight associated with the subject matter.
PART 1
a.) Key academic writing style and its importance.
I have a belief that, academic writing is considered to be as a formal, Concise, clear,
structured, focused and effectively backed by the evidence. It is useful in answering all the
questions and also helps in demonstrating complete understanding related with the subject
matter. It is structured in a coherent manner and is written in a logical order. It has in bringing
together related materials and points. I understand that, academic writing helps in
demonstrating knowledge related with the specific subject area and it also helps in supporting
argumentative and opinions with evidence. It helps in referencing the information accurately.
Academic writing is formal in tone and uses appropriate language and tenses in a clear, balanced
and concise manner.
I believe that, there are four main types of academic writing which mainly comprises of
descriptive, persuasive, analytical and critical. However, each academic styles have their own set
of specific language features and the purpose.
Descriptive is a simple type of academic writing. It is useful in providing clear set of facts
and information associated with the subject matter.
Analytical writing is mainly focused on organising and analysing of the information.
Analytical writing style is specially called for at university level and involves reviewing of the
data.
Persuasive writing is linked with the analytical writing and helps in interpreting and
evaluating the work. Such writing is useful in making supportive and valid claim.
Critical academic writing is considered to be most formal for the post graduate, research
and advanced undergraduate writing. It helps in class and during the viewpoints of others and
dealing with critical information.
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I have understood that, quantitative research method is considered to be prominent
because it helps in gaining statistical and numerical set of perspective related with the subject
topic. Positivism approach is useful in adhering with the factual knowledge which has been
gained through the observation. The qualitative research method helps in gaining descriptive
set of knowledge which helps in the better attainment of the goals and leads to greater efficiency.
It complies with the interpretivism method where each elements of the study is useful and
interpreted by human interference and knowledge. I have a belief that, academic writing is of the
most important and relevant because it helps in writing in the best possible manner. It helps in
better understanding related with the specific topic.
b.) Introduction to the topic.
Topic: “To critically evaluate the skills required for social science.”
Social enquiry is a prominent as it helps in gathering information, ask relevant set of
questions and also examining the background to evaluate the relevant set of information. This
study is considered to be of relevant importance because it helps in reducing the gaps on the
specific knowledge. This study has been carried out for the developing understanding how the
research has been used for the social enquiry.
PART 2
Section 1: Positivistic (quantitative) articles
Article 1: UNDERSTANDING POSITIVISM IN SOCIAL RESEARCH: A RESEARCH
PARADIGM OF INDUCTIVE LOGIC OF INQUIRY.
Type of research
The investigator of study has selected quantitative research method where it helps in gaining
statistical and numerical set of perspective related with the subject topic.
Introduction
The use of positivism research in social science is mainly associated with the scientific
knowledge which must be founded on experience alone.
Methods used
The researcher of the study has opted for positivism research method where it is useful in
adhering with the factual knowledge which has been gained through the observation.
Results
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It is significant in the development of social phenomenon (Prasad, 2017). It helps in interpreting
various patterns.
Conclusion
Social research has been carried out by effectively using methodological and theoretical
foundation which is known as positivism.
Article 2: Are randomised controlled trials positivist? Reviewing the social science and
philosophy literature to assess positivist tendencies of trials of social interventions in public
health and health services.
Type of research
The research of the study has opted for the quantitative research method where it is useful in
gaining numerical set of data related with the subject matter. RCT are considered to be as the
controlled set of experiments which helps in gaining core objective insight related with the
subject matter.
Introduction
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) has been used to evaluate not only bio-medical
interventions and also social interventions within fields like public health, economics, health
services and education.
Methods used
Randomised controlled trials for the positivism approach has been used (Ward, Hoare, and Gott,
2015).
Results
The literature describes the positivism approach to be epistemic primacy of information. It is
useful in the development of the universal laws. It is considered to be as the unity of method
between natural science and social science.
Conclusion
It has been summarized that, appropriate paradigm for the RCT of social science intervention is
realism.
Article 3: Applying Critical Consciousness and Evidence-Based Practice Decision-Making:
A Framework for Clinical Social Work Practice.
Type of research
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The research of the study has opted for the quantitative research method where it is useful in
gaining numerical set of data related with the subject matter.
Introduction
Social work has been increasing driven by the established set of movement by complying with
the evidence based practice (Panhwar, Ansari, and Shah, 2017).
Methods used
The researcher of the study has opted for positivism research method where it is useful in
adhering with the factual knowledge which has been gained through the observation.
Results
Separate conversations explore commitment to social justice through reflective approach take a
positivist approach to scientific enquiry.
Conclusion
This is useful in applying critical consciousness and integrates the positivist approach to amplify
the social justice within the social work practice.
Section 2: Interpretative (qualitative) articles
Article 1: Qualitative Social Science in the UK: A Reflexive Commentary on the "State of
the Art".
Type of research
The qualitative research method has been effectively utilized in order to gain descriptive and
theoretical perspective related with the subject matter (Elman, Kapiszewski and Lupia, 2018).
Introduction
UK social science is an increasing expectation where it must be able to establish excellence in
terms of both scientific and intellectual concerns.
Methods used
The interpretivism method has been used where each elements of the study is interpreted by
human interference.
Results
This method is useful in gaining range of quality and precise set of results.
Conclusion
This method adds complete scrutiny and leads to better development of results associated with
the social enquiry.
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Article 2: The Research Vignette: Reflexive Writing as Interpretative Representation of
Qualitative Inquiry—A Methodological Proposition.
Type of research
The qualitative research method has been effectively utilized to gain descriptive and in- depth
information related with the subject matter (Langer, 2016).
Introduction
Empirical research findings gains wider set of perspective related with the specific subject
matter.
Methods used
The interpretivism method has been used where each elements of the study is interpreted by
human interference.
Results
It is useful in substantiating theoretical considerations.
Conclusion
Research vignette is prominent in providing opportunity to carry out psycho- analytically
informed interpretation.
Article 3: Transparent Social Inquiry: Implications for Political Science.
Type of research
The researcher used qualitative research method which helps in gaining in- depth information
related with the subject topic.
Introduction
Political scientists tends to use diverse range of methods which helps in examining various
important topics which in turn are relevant for the subject matter (Transparent Social Inquiry:
Implications for Political Science, 2018).
Methods used
Use of interpretative method is useful in better understanding and key relevance of claims.
Results
It is useful in increasing transparency and helps in addressing key issues related with the social
science enquiry.
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Conclusion
It helps in gaining better insight and attain political science diverse and also attain dynamic
research communities.
Section 3: Discussion
The key skills which in turn has been required for the social science in turn tends to mainly
comprise of the putting the right method to effectively carry out the research associated with the
social enquiry. It is significant in giving reasoned set of arguments and developing hypothesis
and assumptions to attain the better set of results and outcomes (Norris, 2016). Choosing the
right approach and method for the social enquiry is considered to be prominent because it is
useful in understanding the process and helps changing the society. It is significant in critically
evaluating the key relevant information. The researcher must have an observational set of skills,
interpersonal and communication skills and interpreting and reading skills which is considered to
be significant in the attainment of the better results and outcomes. Positivism research in social
science is significant in the development of social phenomenon. It helps in interpreting various
patterns. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) has been used to evaluate not only bio-medical
interventions and also social interventions. Separate conversations explore commitment to social
justice through reflective approach take a positivist approach to scientific enquiry. It has been
however examined through positivism approach. The qualitative research method is useful in
gaining range of quality and precise set of results. It adds complete scrutiny and leads to better
development of results associated with the social enquiry. Research vignette is prominent in
providing opportunity to carry out psycho- analytically informed interpretation. Use of
interpretative method is useful in better understanding and key relevance of claims (Hyland and
Jiang, 2017). It is useful in increasing transparency and helps in addressing key issues related
with the social science enquiry. Interpretation of the numerical data and understanding the
statistical data is considered to be useful in interpreting the key results and outcomes. Social
science mainly comprise of the sociology which helps in gaining better insights related with the
subject matter by choosing the correct method and right academic method to gain in- depth and
descriptive set of measures to improve the results and outcomes (Babones, 2016). Social enquiry
helps in gathering information and also examines the background to evaluate the relevant set of
data. RCT are considered to be as the controlled set of experiments which helps in gaining kore
objective insight related with the subject matter. It is significant in the interpretation of the key
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results. For this analytical skills in turn are required which helps in improving the better results
and outcomes. Selection of the right methodology and identifying the report writing is useful in
the critical thinking. Moreover, critical analysis and finding relevant set of information helps in
better understanding linked with the subject matter using positivism and interpretivism approach.
CONCLUSION
From the conducted study it has been summarized that, research for social enquiry is
considered to be prominent because it helps in gathering information, ask relevant set of
questions. Academic writing is considered to be as a formal, concise, clear, structured, focused
and effectively backed by the evidence. Descriptive academic writing is useful in providing clear
set of facts and information associated with the subject matter. Choosing the right approach and
method for the social enquiry is considered to be prominent because it is useful in understanding
the process and helps changing the society. The qualitative research method is useful in gaining
range of quality and precise set of results.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Langer, P.C., 2016. The research vignette: Reflexive writing as interpretative representation of
qualitative inquiry—A methodological proposition. Qualitative Inquiry, 22(9), pp.735-744.
Elman, C., Kapiszewski, D. and Lupia, A., 2018. Transparent social inquiry: implications for
political science. Annual Review of Political Science.
Babones, S., 2016. Interpretive quantitative methods for the social sciences. Sociology, 50(3),
pp.453-469.
Panhwar, A.H., Ansari, S. and Shah, A.A., 2017. Post-positivism: An effective paradigm for
social and educational research. International Research Journal of Arts & Humanities
(IRJAH), 45(45).
Ward, K., Hoare, K.J. and Gott, M., 2015. Evolving from a positivist to constructionist
epistemology while using grounded theory: Reflections of a novice researcher. Journal of
Research in Nursing, 20(6), pp.449-462.
Prasad, P., 2017. Crafting qualitative research: Beyond positivist traditions. Taylor & Francis.
Norris, C.B., 2016. Academic writing in English. University of Helsinki.
Hyland, K. and Jiang, F.K., 2017. Is academic writing becoming more informal?. English for
Specific Purposes, 45, pp.40-51.
Online
Transparent Social Inquiry: Implications for Political Science. 2018. [ONLINE]. Available
through< https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/full/10.1146/annurev-polisci-091515-025429>
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