Critically discuss the links between social theory and social research.

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SOC 103 Exploring Social Research

Critically discuss the links between social theory and social research

Student: Jennifer Gartland

Student no: 032805136

Module tutor: Andrew Hope

This essay will identify the links between social research and social theory. Social theory can be defined as 'a set of ideas or abstract knowledge to explain the social world'1, likewise, research can be defined as, 'an investigation to discover facts or collect information'2 again this is in relation to the social world. Firstly we will consider the schools of thought; objectivity, subjectivity, realism and idealism, and say how these influence the aims, methods and processes of social research. Next this essay will identify the links between social theory and social research, identifying the approaches of inductivism, deductivism, paradigms, critical theory and ethnomethodology.

An important school of thought in social research is objectivity. It refers to the lack of bias or prejudice when carrying out research. May (2001) identifies that if our own values do not interfere with the research it is objective. This objective view predetermines what type of research to carry out, which tends to be quantitive techniques. Experiments will be set up so that particular effects are being looked at from the outset, this predetermination of what to look for is reproduced in other research methods in order to obtain an objective outcome. But can social research be objective? As mentioned in the introduction social research is an investigation into social life and we (the researchers) are part of this social life. May (2001) asks the question, 'is it possible to suspend our sense of belonging'3.
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Subjectivity, on the other hand, embraces this method. It is personal and focuses ion the meanings that people give to their environment. Researchers are said to have a better understanding, as they are part of this environment. Observational research methods may be used and the data derived is seen as being more personal and idiosyncratic than answers to questions on a schedule. It is argued that such subjective research relies heavily on the ability of the researcher and therefore influences the results of the study.

The perspective of realism also defines research methods. This focuses upon the ...

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There are some really good bits in this essay - but no coherent argument. I wasn't quite sure why certain bits were being introduced or what the overall answer to the question was. This is partly because there's no real engagement with what a 'theory' is - just lots of different theories, with little consideration of the different analytical levels they occupy.