Social Research Methods/Research Design  < Social Research
Methods  This chapter provides a general introduction to
research design by examining several issues: The main purposes
of social research Units of analysis How to design a research
project The elements of research proposals  Three Purposes of
Research  Social research can serve a variety of purposes. Three
of the most influential and common purposes of research are
exploration, description and explanation.  Exploration involves
familiarizing a researcher with a topic. Exploration satisfies
the researcher's curiosity and desire for improved
understanding. Exploration tests the feasibility of undertaking
a more extensive study. Exploration helps develop the methods
that will be used in a study.  Description involves describing
situations and events through scientific observation. Scientific
descriptions are typically more accurate and precise than causal
ones. For example, the U. S. Census uses descriptive social
research in its examination of characte