Learning Objectives

1.1 Describe three common types of motivations for social research
1.2 Illustrate each of the four common errors involved in learning about the social world using a hypothetical example
1.3 List components of the scientific approach
1.4 Compare the four types of social research
1.5 Assess the strengths and limitations of social research
1.6 Contrast three pairs of alternatives in social research: positivism and postpositivism; quantitative methods and qualitative methods; and basic research and applied research