Research is systematic and organized effort to investigate a specific problem that needs a

solution. It contributes to the general body of knowledge. It also corrects human knowledge.

(RE+SEARCH Again –Search of searched )

The Research means (search of searched) means to elicit some facts out to know thing. The term

research consist of two words,’ Re’+’Search’. “Re” means again and again and “Search” means to

find out something.

Social research refers to the systematic investigation of social phenomena, behaviors, and

patterns using various methods and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data. It

aims to generate knowledge about human societies, their structures, interactions, and

changes over time.

Social research now can be defined as the systematic and objective analysis and recording of

controlled observations that may lead to the development of generalization, principles or theories

resulting in prediction and possibly ultimate control of events in society. It attempts to answer or

solve social problems.

According to C.A. Moser : “Social research is a systematized investigation to gain new knowledge

about social phenomenon and problems.”

According to P.V. Young: “Social research is a scientific undertaking which by means of logical

methods, aim to discover new facts or old facts and to analyze their sequences, interrelationships,

casual explanations and natural laws which govern them.”

Characteristics of Social Research:

● Systematic Approach: Social research follows a structured and organized methodology to

ensure that the research process is logical, replicable, and valid.

● Empirical Basis: It relies on empirical evidence gathered from observations, surveys,

interviews, experiments, or existing data to draw conclusions.

● Objective and Neutral: Social research aims to maintain objectivity and neutrality, avoiding

biases, personal opinions, or preconceived notions that could influence the findings.

● Generalizability: One of the goals is often to generalize findings from a sample to a larger

population, although this requires careful consideration of sampling methods and potential

limitations.

● Ethical Considerations: Ethical guidelines govern social research to ensure the protection of

participants' rights, confidentiality, and informed consent.

● Interdisciplinary Nature: Social research often incorporates insights and methods from various

disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, and political science.

● Dynamic and Evolving: Social research adapts to changing societal contexts, emerging issues,

and new methodologies or technologies.

Functions of Social Research

The important functions of social science research are discussed below;

a) Discovery of facts and their interpretation. Social research provides answer to questions of

what, when, how and why of man, social life and institutions. Discover of facts and their inter

relationship help us to discard distortions and contribute to our understanding of social reality.

b) Diagnosis of problems and their analysis. Our society has innumerable problems such as

poverty, unemployment, economic inequality, social tension etc,. The nature and dimensions of

such problems have to be diagnosed and analyzed. An analysis of problems leads to an

identification of appropriate remedial actions.

c) Systematization of knowledge. The facts discovered through research are systematized and the

body of knowledge is developed. It contributes to the growth of theory building.

d) Control over social phenomena. Research in social science provides first hand information

about the nature of social institutions. This knowledge helps us to control over the social

phenomena.

e) Prediction. Social research aims at finding an order among social fact and their casual relations.

This affords a sound basis for prediction in several cases.

f) Development planning. Systematic research can give us the required data base for planning and

designing developmental schemes and programmes.

g) Social welfare. Social research can identify the causes of social evils and problems. It can thus

help in taking appropriate remedial actions. It also provides guideline for social welfare.