Evaluation of the mixed methods approach

Referencing, as earlier noted, is an important component of academic documents, and is important for a number of reasons, including:

i. It allows readers or reviewers to access your source documents as quickly and easily as possible in order to verify, if necessary, the validity of your arguments and the evidence on which they are based (Cooper, 2020; UNSW, 2019).

ii. Referencing helps an author to acknowledge the contribution of other scholars.

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iii. Referencing is also a way to provide evidence to support the assertions and claims in a research paper.

iv. Furthermore, by citing experts in your field, an author shows the depth literature review conducted in the course of the study.

4.0 Conclusion

Research reports have been shown to be important for the entire process of research.

Social researches use different types of reports to convey the procedures employed in a research, as well as the findings of the study. For instance, research papers are prepared by researchers to convey the outcome of a study to an audience at a conference, while a research article is published in a journal for the use of scholars and students. Each of these reports have their unique structure which helps the author present the content of the research in an organized fashion, easy to read and interpret by the public. Referencing also elaborates on the content of a research report, in that it provides authors the occasion to acknowledge the sources of the materials consulted in the study. The American Psychological Association (APA) style of referencing is recommended for the scholars in the social sciences largely because it presents citations in very simple formats.

5.0 Summary

This module has explained the key issues surrounding research report writing in the social sciences, and the need for referencing. It is established here that research can be said to have been successfully completed if it is reported to the public or a target audience for further reviews, application to education, or implementation. The module also discussed the various ethical issues in social researches and the implications they have research and development. Poor consideration of ethical concerns in social research can result in a number of problems including dissemination of incorrect information, loss of faith and trust in science and research, exposing participants to risk and harm, and loss of lives.

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6.0 Tutor-Marked Assignment

i) Explain the types of research reports in the social sciences ii) Discuss four ethical concerns in social researches

iii) What are the methodological challenges of research in the social sciences?

iv) Discuss the importance of referencing in research reports 7.0 References/Further readings

Abu, O.P and Nwakanma, N (2018) “Elements of Scientific thinking and Social Science Research Methods”. Port Harcourt: Amajov & Coy Publishers

Adhikari, S (2020, October 13) Research Ethics: Definition, Principles and Advantages. Available in https://www.publichealthnotes.com/research-ethics-definition-principles-and-advantages/

Anikpo, M.O.C (2006) “Foundations of social research: a methodological guide for students”. Anambra: Christon International co. Ltd.

Bhattacherjee, A (2012) “Social sciences research: Principles, methods and practices”.

Textbook collection: Book 3. Accessed from

http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/oa-textbooks/3

Broom, A. (2006). Ethical issues in social research. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 14(2), 151-156.

City University of Hong Kong (2020, October 30) Research methods: What is research Ethics. https://libguides.library.cityu.edu.hk/researchmethods/ethics Cooper, J (2020, February 8) Learn the importance of referencing in academic

writing. Accessed 21^st June, 2020 from

https://www.greatassignmenthelp.com/blog/importance-of-referencing-in-academic-writing/

Ethics in Social Research (2019). Encyclopedia of Sociology. Retrieved February 24, 2021 from https://www.encyclopedia.com/social-sciences/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/ethics-social-research

Formplus (2019, October 7) Research Report: Definition, Types + [Writing Guide].

https://www.formpl.us/blog/research-report

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Francis, A (2010, September 16) Research methodology: significance of social research. https://www.mbaknol.com/research-methodology/significance-and-problems-of-social-research/

Gutting, G (2012, May 17) How Reliable Are the Social Sciences?

https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/17/how-reliable-are-the-social-sciences/Maresh

Kabir, S.M.S (2016) Writing Research Report. In S.M Kabir (ed) Basic Guidelines for Research: An Introductory Approach for All Disciplines. First Edition, Zone Publication, Chittagong-4203, Bangladesh

Krathwohl, DR (2005) How to Prepare a Dissertation Proposal: Suggestions for Students in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Syracuse, NY:

Syracuse University Press, 2005

Kumar, R. (2011) Research Methodology A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. 3rd Edition. Sage, New Delhi

Lipson, C. (2006). Cite right: A quick guide to citation styles--MLA, APA, Chicago, the sciences, professions, and more. Chicago: University of Chicago Press Santelmann, L (2001) Outline for Research Project Proposal. Accessed 21^st June, 2017

from https://web.pdx.edu/~dbls/proposals.html

Sieber, J.E. (1982). Ethical Dilemmas in Social Research. In: Sieber J.E. (Ed.) The Ethics of Social Research. Springer Series in Social Psychology. New York, NY: Springer.

Stalker, K. Carpenter, J., Connors, C., and Phillips, R. (2004). Ethical issues in social research: difficulties encountered gaining access to children in hospital for research. Child: Care, Health and Development, 30(4), 377-384.

Stern, L. (2007). “What every student should know about avoiding plagiarism”. New York: Pearson.

Thomas, V.P and Patricia, M. (2004) Writing a research article: advice to beginners, International Journal for Quality in Health Care, Volume 16, Issue 3, June 2004, Pages 191–192, https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzh053

UNSW University of New South Wales (2019, October 28) Why is referencing important. https://student.unsw.edu.au/why-referencing-important

Watts, J.H. (2008). Integrity in qualitative research. In: Given, Lisa M. ed. The Sage Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods, Volume 1. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, pp. 440–441