Methodology Empirical Social Research
Methodology
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Empirical Social Research |
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Basic research has always been a major component of activities within Youth and Anomie. We examine the causes and consequences of a loss of orientation and values that can accompany rapid social change in various societies and cultures. This knowledge helps us to develop projects in the areas of youth, international development, and cultural integration, and provides a solid basis for our recommendations to practitioners and decision makers. SAD also conducts applied social research, which directly aims to answer practical questions and focuses on the needs of our partners. This particularly includes the assessment (evaluation research) and development (intervention research) of concrete measures or interventions. Our approach can be described as the following:
Method The choice of methods for data collection and analysis is contingent upon the specific problem as well as the available resources. Some research questions require a combination of multiple methods. For example, if there is very little information available regarding a certain topic, a sensible first step might be to conduct in-depth interviews with individual representatives of the target group. Afterwards, knowledge acquired in this way can be reviewed by means of a larger sample. We offer a wide spectrum of qualitative and quantitative data collection procedures:
Qualitative or quantitative? Both methods have advantages and disadvantages. In many cases a combination of the two is advised. Research design An optimal research design depends on the problem and the available resources. Should causal relationships between two variables be established (i.e. between the participants of a sport programme and an improved ability to cope with every day difficulties), it is then preferable to use experimental and quasi-experimental study plans. This way, factors can be varied in a targeted way and the associated changes registered. By means of correlative studies, relationships between variables can be substantiated (i.e. between individual anomie and youth violence), but without being able to draw causal relationships. When such “patterns” are applied to an entire population or population group, elaborate representative studies must be conducted. In order to account for changes over time, longitudinal studies become necessary , including several assessments over time. Sometimes it is also advisable to conduct a case study, for example when conducting an in depth study of an exemplary or interesting individual case (a person, group, institution) by means of qualitative methods. What all of our applied research designs have in common is that they are conducted in the field. Field studies, where interviews take place in the natural environment of the participants, deliver more reflective results that can be transferred easily into similar situations. Course of Action Along with our partners, we develop research and data collection strategies that correspond with the research question. With the methods of practice-oriented research, we conduct studies that have sustainable effects on the respective project or discourse. It is important to us that the results are presented with their application in mind, in order to achieve an optimal benefit for practice.
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