Social research is relevant but not limited to the social scientific fields, such as sociology, human geography and social policy among others

Thus, social research involves research that draws on the social sciences for conceptual and theoretical inspiration. Such research may be motivated by developments and changes in society, such as the rise in worries about security or binge-drinking, but it employs social scientific ideas to illuminate those changes.

It draws upon the social sciences for ideas about how to formulate research topics and issues and how to interpret and draw implications from research findings. In other words, what distinguishes social research is that it is deeply rooted in the ideas and intellectual traditions of the social sciences.

Characterizing the nature of the link between theory and research is by no means a straightforward matter. There are several issues at stake here, but two stands out in particular. First, there is the question of what form of theory one is talking about.

Secondly, there is the matter of whether data are collected to test or to build theories. Theory is important to the social researcher because it provides a backcloth and rationale for the research that is being conducted. It also provides a framework within which social phenomena can be understood and the research findings can be interpreted.

The research process must be described in sufficient detail so as to allow other researchers to replicate your study, test the findings, or assess whether the inferences derived are scientifically acceptable. Of course, having a ready research proposal will greatly simplify and quicken the process of writing the finished report. Note that research is of no value unless the research process and outcomes are documented for future generations; such documentation is essential for the incremental progress of science.