– UNIT : 2

Hypothesis:
In social research, a hypothesis is a testable statement or prediction about the relationship
between variables in a study. It serves as a proposed explanation for a specific phenomenon or
behavior. The logic behind formulating a hypothesis in sociology involves several key steps:

1. Identifying the research problem: The first step is to clearly define the research problem or
question that you want to investigate in the sociological context.

2. Literature review: Before forming a hypothesis, researchers review existing literature and
studies related to the topic to understand what is already known and identify any knowledge
gaps.

3. Theory development: Sociologists often base their hypotheses on existing sociological

theories that provide a framework for understanding the social world. The hypothesis should be
aligned with these theories.

4. Formulating the hypothesis: The hypothesis is usually stated as a declarative statement,

suggesting a relationship between two or more variables. It can be directional (predicting the
direction of the relationship) or non-directional (simply predicting a relationship exists).

5. Testability: A good hypothesis should be testable through empirical research. This means that
it should be possible to collect data and conduct statistical analysis to either support or reject
the hypothesis.

6. Operationalization: Researchers need to operationalize the variables in the hypothesis,

meaning they must define how they will measure or observe the variables in the real world.

7. Data collection and analysis: After collecting data, researchers use various statistical methods
to analyze the data and test the hypothesis. The results will either support or fail to support the
hypothesis.

8. Drawing conclusions: Based on the analysis, researchers draw conclusions about the
relationship between variables and discuss the implications of their findings in the context of
existing sociological knowledge.

9. Contribution to knowledge: The final step involves discussing the contribution of the study's
findings to the broader field of sociology and suggesting areas for future research.

It's important to note that not all social research follows a hypothesis-testing approach. In some
cases, exploratory research may be conducted without a specific hypothesis in mind, aiming to
generate new insights and hypotheses for future investigations.

Major steps in social research:

Social research involves a series of systematic steps to investigate and understand various social
phenomena. Here are the major steps typically followed in social research:

1. Identify the research problem: The first step is to clearly define the research problem or
question that the study aims to address. This involves identifying the specific issue or topic of
interest within the broader field of social inquiry.

2. Review existing literature: Conduct a thorough review of relevant academic literature and
studies related to the research problem. This step helps researchers understand the existing
knowledge, identify gaps, and refine the research objectives.

3. Formulate research questions or hypotheses: Based on the research problem and literature
review, researchers develop specific research questions to answer or hypotheses to test in their
study.

4. Choose research design and methods: Select an appropriate research design and methods to
collect data. Common research designs include experiments, surveys, case studies,
ethnography, content analysis, and interviews.

5. Data collection: Collect data using the chosen methods. This may involve administering
surveys, conducting interviews, observing social interactions, or analyzing existing data sources.

6. Data analysis: Once data is collected, it is analyzed using various statistical or qualitative
techniques, depending on the research design and the type of data collected.

7. Interpretation of findings: Researchers interpret the results of data analysis in light of the
research questions or hypotheses. This involves making sense of the data and drawing
meaningful conclusions.

8. Draw conclusions: Based on the interpretation of findings, researchers draw conclusions

about the research problem and discuss the implications of their results.

9. Report writing: Write a comprehensive research report detailing the entire research process,
including the research problem, methodology, data analysis, findings, and conclusions. The
report follows specific academic or publishing guidelines.

10. Peer review and dissemination: Researchers may submit their research report to academic
journals or present their findings at conferences for peer review and dissemination within the
academic community.

11. Contribution to knowledge: Discuss the contribution of the research to the broader field of
social sciences and identify areas for further research and study.

Throughout these steps, ethical considerations must be carefully addressed, ensuring that the
research is conducted ethically and with respect for the participants' rights and privacy.
Additionally, researchers should continuously assess and adjust their approach based on the
feedback and insights gained during the research process.

Exploratory Research:

The logic of exploratory research in social research is to gather preliminary insights and
understanding of a particular social phenomenon or issue. Exploratory research is often
conducted when the topic is relatively new or not well-studied, and there is limited existing
information or theory available. The main objectives of exploratory research are as follows:

1. Identify and define the research problem: Exploratory research helps researchers identify and
clarify the research problem or question they want to investigate further. It allows them to gain a
deeper understanding of the issue and its context.

2. Generate new ideas and hypotheses: Since the research topic is often novel or less explored,
exploratory research provides an opportunity to generate new ideas and hypotheses that can
guide future investigations.

3. Formulate research questions: Through exploratory research, researchers can develop

specific research questions that they can address in more in-depth studies later on.

4. Gain insights into the research topic: Exploratory research allows researchers to gain
preliminary insights into the social phenomenon under study. It helps them understand the
complexities, dynamics, and various factors that may be influencing the phenomenon.

5. Identify variables and measurement techniques: Researchers can use exploratory research to
identify relevant variables and suitable measurement techniques that can be employed in
subsequent studies.

6. Select appropriate research design and methods: Exploratory research helps researchers
determine the most appropriate research design and methods for their future investigations. It
aids in making informed decisions about the data collection techniques and analytical
approaches.
7. Pilot testing: Exploratory research often involves pilot testing, where researchers can try out
their data collection instruments and procedures on a small scale to identify any issues or
challenges that need to be addressed before conducting a larger study.

8. Guide further research: The findings and insights from exploratory research can guide further
research, shaping the direction of subsequent studies and contributing to the development of
more specific research hypotheses and objectives.

9. Enhance understanding of the research context: Exploratory research helps researchers

immerse themselves in the research context, facilitating a better understanding of the social
environment and its intricacies.

Overall, exploratory research plays a crucial role in laying the foundation for more comprehensive
and focused investigations in the social sciences. It helps researchers build a solid rationale for
their research and contributes to the advancement of knowledge in the field.