First, the preparation stage.
The main tasks in the preparatory stage are: selecting topics, putting forward assumptions and designing investigation schemes.
(1) Choosing a topic is the first step of social investigation. A good topic selection is half the success of social investigation. At this stage, the researcher's main task is to propose and determine the topic. Selection is a very difficult process. Generally speaking, we should consider the factors of importance, feasibility and creativity.
Importance: mainly refers to the problems that the society urgently needs to study. If there are many topics to choose from, you can choose them according to the urgency of social needs, research conditions and personal interests.
Feasibility: mainly consider the subjective and objective conditions of choosing the implementation project. We should consider the support of government departments, the source of project funds, the ability of researchers, the equipment and means to analyze data, and so on. Without sufficient conditions, conducting social surveys can only be an armchair strategist. The topic should not be big and empty, but should proceed from the local reality and grasp the problems that can come straight to the point for investigation and research.
The topic selection should also reflect the principle of creativity, and we can't learn from others. Do what others have never done, and create areas where others have never set foot.
After the subject is initially determined, it is necessary to have a preliminary understanding of the object to be studied and increase the perceptual knowledge of the object. Therefore, we need to do some rough work: consult the literature related to the topic, and compare whether our topic coincides with others'; Consulting visit, visiting and consulting relevant experts and scholars, so as to understand the value and significance of the subject; Anatomical examples, in-depth study in a small range, can be inspired.
(2) The research has a certain direction and goal, but it cannot directly enter the actual research, and a series of hypotheses must be established. Hypothesis is an incomplete proposition about the phenomenon of things and its regularity, which needs to be verified by practice. First of all, the hypothesis makes the investigation and research conscious, and researchers can determine their own research direction according to this hypothesis, carry out purposeful and planned observations and experiments, and avoid blindness and passivity; Secondly, hypothesis is a bridge to establish and develop scientific theory and an intermediate link between problems and scientific theory. Because the hypothesis is based on certain empirical facts, rather than random speculation and speculation.
(3) Generally, the following questions should be arranged in advance when designing the investigation scheme, mainly including: determining the overall investigation and investigation samples according to the selected topics, the specific methods and technical means of collecting and analyzing data, the selection of investigation methods and methods, the arrangement of investigation time and progress, the sources of equipment and funds, and the formation of investigation teams. We should make a detailed and thorough investigation and research plan as far as possible. In addition, after designing a scientific and reasonable investigation scheme, it is necessary to do small-scale experimental research on the research object in a certain range before field investigation to determine whether the designed investigation scheme is feasible and further modify the scheme according to the problems found.
Second, the investigation stage.
The main task of the investigation stage is to collect data according to the requirements of the investigation design. This is the busiest stage in the whole research. Whether the necessary information can be collected and scientifically sorted out is the most fundamental condition for the success of social investigation. The basic methods of social investigation are as follows:
1. General inspection
Census, also called comprehensive census, is called census for short. It refers to the investigation of all units included in the investigation on a large scale. In social surveys, census is only applicable to small-scale population surveys. It is impossible to conduct a census of a large population. However, the census has its own advantages and limitations because of its wide scope and many objects:
2. Sampling survey
Sampling survey is a survey method that draws a certain number of units from the survey population as samples according to the principle of randomness, and infers the general situation of the population according to the results of sampling survey. It is one of the main methods of investigation and study.
Sampling survey infers the overall situation from the survey samples, so the key to conducting the survey is the accuracy of the samples. Some beginners may have doubts about the use of samples and think that they are the main source of mistakes.
If the sampling survey is conducted properly, it may be very accurate, and the time and money saved are obvious. Sampling plays an important role in social investigation, but random sampling is not random sampling. According to the different nature, research purpose and working conditions of the respondents, sampling survey usually adopts four methods:
First, simple random sampling, also known as pure random sampling. It is to take samples directly from all units in the group according to the principle of randomness. This is the simplest and most basic method in random sampling, and it is also the basis of other random sampling.
Two, equidistant sampling, also known as mechanical random sampling or systematic random sampling. Firstly, the sampling box is prepared and the sampling units are arranged according to certain signs; Then the sampling interval is calculated by dividing the total number of cells by the number of sample cells, and a number is randomly selected as the first sample in the first sampling interval; Finally, samples are taken at equal intervals until the last sample is taken.
Three, classified sampling, also known as stratified random sampling. Firstly, the overall unit is divided into several types (or levels) according to certain standards; Then, according to the ratio of the number of sampling units contained in each type (or hierarchy) to the total number of units, the number of sample units extracted from each type is determined; Finally, according to the simple random sampling or equidistant random sampling method, samples are extracted from various types (or levels).
Four, cluster sampling, also known as cluster random sampling or collective random sampling. Firstly, the overall unit is divided into many groups according to certain standards, and each group is used as a sampling unit; Then according to the principle of random sampling, several groups are selected from these groups as samples; Finally, each unit in the sample group is investigated one by one.
3. Typical survey
A typical survey is a selective survey, which is a method to select representative units from the survey objects as models and understand the nature and development law of similar social phenomena through typical surveys. The characteristics of a typical survey are: it is a survey of individuals or a few units among the respondents, a survey of purposeful and conscious choices of the respondents, a face-to-face survey of direct contact with the respondents, a systematic and in-depth survey, mainly a qualitative survey.
4. Case studies
Case investigation, also known as case investigation, refers to the investigation of a specific individual to solve a specific problem. A survey that reflects a farmer's actual burden, solves a community's civil dispute, and understands the specific situation of a township enterprise belongs to a case survey.
The object of case investigation is an individual, and the investigation method is direct, similar to a typical investigation. However, there are obvious differences between case investigation and typical investigation: first, the characteristics of the respondents are different, and the respondents in case investigation are specific and irreplaceable, so there is no choice problem; Second, the main purpose of the survey is different. The main purpose of case investigation is generally to discuss the facts and solve specific problems, and there is no question of exploring the law.
Third, the analysis stage.
The analysis stage is to sort out, classify, count and analyze the data collected in the investigation stage.
The main task of data collation is to systematically and scientifically process the collected data. First of all, the work of sorting out data should be roughly processed, and the original data should be inspected to check whether there are any mistakes or omissions. If so, it needs to be revised and supplemented in time. A questionnaire without authenticity is invalid, which will affect the accuracy of the conclusion. The collation of the original data requires meticulous patience, and the same data cannot be inconsistent. If there is, it needs to be reviewed in time to find the respondent to fill in again. If information is obtained through multiple channels, it is also necessary to check whether the information obtained through different channels is consistent, so as to make the information objective, complete, true and reliable. The next step is to sort out and systematize the rough machining data, including the collation of text data and digital data. The arrangement of written materials includes interview records, observation records and the arrangement of open-ended questions in questionnaires. The arrangement of written materials is a process of "removing the rough and selecting the fine, removing the false and retaining the true", which requires concreteness, truthfulness, conciseness and conciseness. The arrangement of written materials should be as follows: classify materials according to the survey outline or research topic, and put similar materials together; Put forward the core content of information, and add the title or content summary to make all kinds of information clearer; According to the research requirements, sort out all kinds of materials and establish the preliminary relationship between them. The arrangement of digital data needs to be completed in three parts: coding, input and summary. Because the information in the questionnaire is mainly written information, it needs to be converted into digital information that can be recognized and processed by computer through coded manual processing. Input is the process of inputting the coded questionnaire into the computer and forming a data processing file in the computer memory. After all the codes in the questionnaire are input into the computer, they can be summarized into an original data file after editing and logical checking. At the same time, it is necessary to write a description document of the original data-data dictionary. According to the data dictionary, we can clearly know the meaning of any character on the original data. After these two tasks are completed, the original data file and the data dictionary file can be saved together, so that the query can be copied at any time.
Fourth, the summary stage.
The main task of the summary stage is to write a social investigation report and explain the investigation results or research conclusions. Investigation report is a form that reflects the results of the whole investigation in a systematic, centralized and standardized way with words and charts. It is a concentrated expression of the results of social surveys. Writing an investigation report can also be said to be a comprehensive summary of the whole social investigation work. From the purpose and methods of the survey, to the methods of data collection and analysis, to the conclusion and quality of the survey results, we should summarize and reflect them in the survey report.
In fact, the summary stage is to answer theoretical or applied questions in a social field, so as to deepen the understanding of society or formulate principles, policies and measures to solve problems. It can be seen that the four stages of investigation and research are interrelated and a complete cycle stage.