Science and Society Science and Society | Page 22

to use these results as a generalized solution, as it may not be applicable to other groups.

Then there is a third option that scientists used when conduct research, rather than just using quantitative or qualitative methods they use mixed methods, this would allow them to get in-depth reasoning for their results that can be generalized over the overall public. Such as rather than using a survey or questionnaire that would give us quantitative results or using an unstructured interview that would provide us with quantitative results, scientists can use structured or semi-structured interviews that would allow for follow-up questions and their results can also be used as a generalization. Other mixed research methods include: focus groups –gathering

a group of several different people, whether in age, sex, ethnicity, income level, etc. and asking them questions that can be used as a general results of the overall public, using archives and longitudinal studies –researching a subject or group over a long period of time, with follow-up questions and regular check ups.

What all these different research methods have in common is that they all share the same principles. All researchers must give credit where credit is due and provide their subjects anonymity if they so wish also, the benefits gained from these findings should be distributed upon all people and not only to a few select individuals. These basic ethics and more are established in order to protect both subject and researcher, as in the end, the main goal for scientists, is to help mankind

"It would be a tragedy if any minister in any [British] government were to say 'We can afford the physics but not the social sciences'"

By: Mariam El Rayes