Do you have what it takes to be a social science researcher ?

Many of us come to know about social science research in an expected way.

My own story is that of being a graduate of computer science and systems engineering.  I had worked in the private sector as a project manager and analyst for projects which involved  some information technologies (hardware, software).

I was also interested in systems thinking, a body of knowledge that provides a different view on complex societal problems.

I always wanted to understand how to make life easier and more fulfilling for me and other people.  Half way through my computer science degree, I realized that I could not fit life into technology.  Neither should I continue looking for a silver bullet, a methodology or a management fashion that could provide human fulfilment. Wanting to make life better is still a motivation to carry out research.  

So when you start the activity of research, ask yourself what your main motivation is.  Is it to obtain a degree (Msc, PhD), or is it to understand things in a better way?  Or is it to look for some knowledge that will enable you to control the life of other human beings? 

Social science research is about understanding.  Of course it has practical implications.  But in order to solve problems in a better way than it is currently the case, we need to understand. This requires us to change our mentality.  From being problem solvers to facilitators, from knowing what we think we know to accept that we do not know much.  

The ability to ask questions, and pursue some temporary answers, is key to research.  This does not mean we should all the time be worried about not having the right questions to ask.  They will come with reading, reflection and writing.  They will also come in our conversations with others.

So if you want to control other people's lives, maybe research is not for you and should better become something else.  Social life cannot be controlled.  You need to have humility as a researcher in order to accept this. 


Curiosity, humility, creativity and courage to pursue your own motivation, these are key ingredients for a social science researcher.