Reflections on social sciences methodology of research

     Research can be considered a source of knowledge for different kinds of fields. According to Hernández, Collado and Lucio (1998) academic research papers report on results so as to produce new knowledge and theories as well as solving problems. Therefore,  a specific framework should be set when dealing with these kinds of investigations. This paper is intended to carry out a critical  analysis of the paper by Lindón Villoria (1998) in which she  discusses the nature of research in the social sciences, as well as the investigation and the underlying methodology employed in this field.

      Taking into account types of research papers, Lindon Villoria (1998) has followed an argumentative model in order to support her claims by means of the necessary evidence (Copley, Greenberg, Handley & Oaks, 1996). The paper presents the topic  in a very brief and effective introduction section where the author announces the purpose of her work as well as four viewpoints according to  which she is to deal with the issue. In fact, she  seems to deal with relevant aspects such as the role of the social sciences researchers, the multiple decisions taken by them as well as the deep relationship between research and knowledge in the social field of study.

   Considering the Create a Research Space Model (C.A.R.S.) designed by Swales and Feak (1994), the author appears to establish her research territory but her paper lacks both an abstract and a  review of previous research. Indeed, there seems to be no move 2 since Lindón Villoria (1998) simply defines her purposes in the introduction.

     Lindón Villoria (1998) breaks down the topic into different aspects  and analyses them in detail so as to reflect on and characterize  academic social research. That is why the author  can display the argumentative side of  her research article.  In fact, she seems to make a deep analysis of research in the field of social sciences but at the same time, support her own points of view with clear evidence. As Copley, Greenberg, Handley and  Oaks (1996) state: “an  argumentative paper is analytical, but it uses information as evidence to support its point” (para.8).

      Although APA (2008) advises not to overuse footnotes and state that they “should be included only if they strengthen the discussion” (p. 202), Lindón Villoria (1998) makes ample use of this resource. It seems as she tried to help the audience to identify sources and clarify concepts which have been previously mentioned in the paper.  By means of twelve footnotes the reader is directed to primary sources. Finally, the conclusion is quite succinct and highlights the core of the discussion.

     All in all, Lindón Villoria presents a discussion on research in social sciences that seems to be well balanced and in accordance with the purpose of the paper. She has succeded in engaging readers in a deep kind of reflection by applying APA conventions for  the transmission of information.  Lindón Villoria (1998) seems to have taken into consideration  linguistics characteristics as well as layout and format  so as to follow an argumentative structure for discussing relevant issues. Although  the author emphazices her own perspectives, she seems to manage to provide readers with a unified reflection arising from an argumentative research paper.

References

American Psychological Association (2008). Publication Manual (5^th ed.). Washington, DC: British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data.

Copley, C., Greenberg, L., Handley, E., & Oaks, S. (1996). The writer’s complex. Empire State College. Retrieved May 2011, from http://www.esc.edu/esconline/across_esc/writerscomplex.nsf/home

Hernández Sampieri, R., Fernández Collado, C., & Baptista Lucio, P. (1998). Metodología de la investigación. 2nd. Ed. McGraw Hill. México.

Lindón Villoria, A. (1998). De la investigación en ciencias sociales, de las “tesis” y la metodología de la investigación. El Colegio Mexiquense, A. C. 17, 1-7. Retrieved May 2011, from http:// www.cmq.edu.mx/component/docman/doc.../141-di0150111.html

Swales, J.M., & Feak, C.B. (1994). Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills. Ann Harbor, MI: The University of Michigan Press.