1.2. Understanding Research in social sciences
- The Department of Education defines research as follows: Research is defined as 
the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and 
creative way so as to generate new concepts, methodologies and understandings. 
This could include synthesis and analysis of previous research to the extent that it 
leads to new and creative outcomes
-M Stephenson and D Slesinger defined research in the Encyclopedia of Social 
Sciences as “The manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of 
generalizing to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids 
in construction of theory or in the practice of an art. Research is an organized andsystematic way of finding answers to questions” Systematic because there is a 
definite set of procedures and steps which you will follow. There are certain 
things in the research process which are always done in order to get the most 
accurate results.
- Social science research is a process of enquiry into social issues and social 
problems in the society. Using social science research new knowledge is being 
derived and new information is obtained through a systematic and scientific 
procedure.
- Social science research is the step-by-step manner of deriving new data on any 
social subject that affects man in society. Social research gives insight into social 
occurrence(s) making researchers understand why, when, where, what and how 
social life is being constructed and reconstructed daily. Through social science 
research the complex nature of society is being understood because social science 
research provides insight for the sustenance or displacement of preconceived 
realities.
- Social science research is a strategic process employed by researchers to 
challenge existing knowledge, based on new findings that supersede prior 
knowledge on social reality