Understanding the Elements of Social Research
Author: Eliasu Alhassan
ISBN 978 – 9988 – 3 – 5762 – 7
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/npub.eb2023103
Published: 1st November, 2023.
This book advances a plan, a process, and approaches for understanding Social investigation in the human and social world, a comprehensive approach for understanding qualitative, descriptive, and triangulation as well as basic terminologies in social research. The continued usage of these approaches and the terminologies in Social Research by students and researchers necessitated the production and need for this book. The explanations of the very important approaches begin with a preliminary consideration of philosophical and theoretical understanding of the core and conceptual issues in social research.
The review of literature, an assessment of the linkage between theory and conceptual framework in social research designs and proposal writings are very important in scholarly research. The book addresses a general introduction, the purpose of social research, an understanding of some key basic terms, a literature review and a theoretical framework. It also addresses proposal writing essentials in both qualitative, descriptive, and triangulation approaches to social research.
At each step in the process, the reader is taken through the basic understanding of key terminologies and purposes of social research, literature review, proposal writings and understanding of approaches in social research. The book is intended to guide Social Researchers and Students, especially, postgraduate students who seek assistance in preparing a plan or proposal for a scholarly journal, thesis and dissertations. At a broader level, the book may be useful as a reference, a guidebook for graduate courses in research methods. Examples in the book are drawn from the life experiences of researchers and research tutors in the Universities. The book is not a detailed research methods text it only highlights the essential ideas, elements, and features of research methods.
The coverage of research methods in social investigations is limited to the frequently used forms of research, theory and terminologies which are very useful in social research approaches. Consistent with the accepted convention of scholarly writing in research, discriminatory words are eliminated in all chapters. Readers should note that in many examples cited in the book, references are made.
Prof. Eliasu Alhassan
August, 2023
Eliasu Alhassan was educated at the Northern School of Business,Tamale, Ghana and earned his Bachelor of Arts, Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Sociology at the University of Ghana, Legon, Accra. He has taught at all levels of the Educational System in Ghana since 1993, and has been lecturing Sociology and Research Methods at the University for Development Studies since 2006.
He is an Associate Professor of Development Sociology and Education with special emphasises on Basic Education, Deviant Behaviour, Rural and Urban Development. He has developed both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Sociology, Social Administration and Research Methods for the University. He has written one book and authored 36 articles in Peered Reviewed Journals. He has presented a number of papers at various conferences and workshops and also served the University in various capacities: as Head of the Department for Sociology and Social Work; Head of Department for Social, Political and Historical Studies, and coordinating Dean of the University. He is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Nyankpala Campus of the University for Development Studies. He likes watching football and listening to the word of God and actively engage in Community Services and therefore, chaired many boards outside the University.
Alhassan, Eliasu. Understanding the Elements of Research. (Accra: Noyam Publishers, 2023).