SSH 301 Chapter 1-7: SSH 301 - Readings

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Social Sciences and Humanities
• Course: SSH 301
• Professor: Patrizia Albanese

Document Summary

The aim of this chapter is to examine the fundamental assumptions upon which social research is based. By using quantitative and qualitative approaches is explored in relation to those considerations. The connection between theory and research is not straightforward. There are several issues at stake here, but two stand out. First the form of theory; and second, the relationship between data and theory. Quantitative data and qualitative research continue different approaches to social investigation and carry with them important epistemological and ontological assumptions. Epistemological considerations loom large in the choice of a research strategy. To a great extent, the issues revolve around the advantages and disadvantages associated with the natural science (in particular positivist), interpretivist, and critical approaches to science. Ontological considerations, such as objectivism versus constructionism, also constitute important dimensions of the quantitative/qualitative contrast. Theory can either precede research and data gathering (the deductive method) or emerge out of it (induction)