The Fundamental Purpose of Social Research

As Herbert J. Rubin suggests, the primary aim of academic research is for sociologists, political scientists, or anthropologists to seek answers to theoretical questions in their respective fields. Conversely, the goal of applied social research is to make data usable for decision-making.

Dimensions of Social Research

Social research comes in various forms and can be classified in different ways: experimental vs. non-experimental, case study vs. cross-case study, qualitative vs. quantitative. These dimensions encompass how a study uses findings and main audiences, why a study is conducted, the number of cases examined, how time is included, and the data collection techniques used.

Understanding Research Dimensions

Understanding how these dimensions relate to each other is crucial. Firstly, it facilitates understanding research reports. Once you are familiar with the dimensions of a study, you can quickly grasp what a study says and how it was conducted. Secondly, when conducting your own research, you need to make many decisions. Think of dimensions as decision points you encounter when developing a specific research plan. To make sound decisions, you must be aware of the trade-offs and strengths and weaknesses you may encounter at each decision point.

Use of Research Types and Audience

Social research has two main orientations: a somewhat distant “scientific” or “academic” orientation and a more practical and action-oriented orientation. It’s not a strict distinction, as many researchers work in both or transition between them at different career stages. Orientations differ in how results are used and who the primary audience is.

Basic Research

Basic research advances fundamental knowledge about the social world. Scientific society is the main audience for such research. Basic research is used to support or refute theories about how the social world operates, what drives it, and how social relationships or events are in a particular way. While some criticize basic research as having no short-term practical applications for many questions, it is essential for expanding knowledge and understanding and provides a foundational basis for many issues, policy areas, or fields in the long run.

Applied Research

Applied research addresses specific concerns. Large bureaucratic organizations such as businesses, government agencies, health services, social service organizations, and educational institutions often use it to learn if programs, new initiatives, marketing campaigns, or policies are effective. Applied research is typically short-term and small-scale, providing rapid results. Its outcomes are used for decision-making and can be implemented within a year or less.

Action Research

Action research combines new knowledge acquisition, knowledge application, and a specific purpose. In action research, people actively participate and use knowledge without detachment from the research. Participants work directly on the problem, gather knowledge, and engage in social and political actions using that knowledge. Action research encompasses an active participant group, beyond the scientific community, and influences decision-making factors.

Social Impact Assessment Research

Social impact assessment research predicts potential societal outcomes before implementing a planned change. It aims to document the various societal ramifications that may arise when a significant change is introduced to a community. These studies are widely used in places where various significant projects are planned or implemented, such as school construction, hospitals, prisons, residential areas, shopping centers, factories, landfills, highways, airports, water reservoirs, parks, recreation areas, and power plants.

Social impact assessments often work in multidisciplinary research teams and use various methods to measure impacts. They are highly important because they aim to measure and document the effects of a planned change and help communities make informed decisions based on knowledge.

However, social impact assessment is often underutilized due to several factors. Firstly, many environmental impact assessments do not require a social impact assessment. Often, legislative bodies, policymakers, or decision-makers do not request a social impact assessment before approving a major change. Second, social impact assessment studies require time and money. Authorities resist budget allocations and avoid slowing down the decision-making process. More often than not, they opt for decisions based on intuition rather than systematic evaluation of social impacts.

Research Goals

Research serves different purposes, such as exploring a new topic, describing a social event, or explaining its causes. The main research goals can be:

• Exploration: Exploratory Research
• Description: Descriptive Research
• Explanation: Explanatory Research
• Prediction and Control: Causal Research

Your research aim determines the nature and scope of your study. By considering which type of research you intend to conduct and what goals you have, you can design your research accordingly.