Corroboration in Social Science Research: A Review
Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the concept of corroboration in social science research. It describes the purpose of corroboration, the types of evidence used to corroborate research, and the importance of considering alternative explanations when interpreting results. The paper also discusses the challenges associated with corroboration and presents a discussion of the implications of using corroborating evidence in social science research.
Introduction
Corroboration is a term used to describe the process of verifying or confirming a claim or finding through the use of additional evidence (Holland & Rubin, 1992). Corroboration is an important part of the scientific process, as it allows researchers to strengthen or refute their hypotheses or interpretations of data. In social science research, corroboration is used to evaluate the credibility of claims, verify the accuracy of results, or explain the relationships between different variables. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the concept of corroboration in social science research.
Types of Evidence
In social science research, corroborating evidence can take many forms. Some of the most commonly used forms of corroborating evidence include survey results, interviews, archival documents, and observational data (Holland & Rubin, 1992). Each type of evidence can be used to corroborate the results of a study by providing additional information on the research subject or by providing context for interpreting the results.
Importance of Alternative Explanations
When interpreting the results of a study, it is important to consider alternative explanations for the findings. This is because the evidence used to corroborate the results of a study is often limited and may not provide a full picture of the research subject. For example, survey results may only provide a partial view of a phenomenon and may not take into account other factors that could influence the outcome. Therefore, it is important to consider alternative explanations when interpreting the results of a study.
Challenges Associated with Corroboration
Despite the importance of corroborating evidence, there are several challenges associated with its use. For example, obtaining corroborating evidence can be challenging, as it may require access to restricted data or resources. Additionally, the evidence used to corroborate a study may be subject to bias or may be incomplete, which can make it difficult to draw definitive conclusions from the data. Finally, the interpretation of the evidence is often subjective, which can lead to differences in opinion about the validity of the results.
Implications of Corroboration
The use of corroborating evidence in social science research can have a number of implications. For example, it can help to strengthen the validity of a study by providing additional evidence to support the findings. Additionally, it can help to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a research subject by providing information on multiple aspects of the phenomenon. Finally, the use of corroborating evidence can help to identify potential issues with the study design or results that may need to be addressed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, corroboration is an important part of the scientific process, as it allows researchers to strengthen or refute their hypotheses or interpretations of data. In social science research, corroboration can take many forms, including survey results, interviews, archival documents, and observational data. When interpreting the results of a study, it is important to consider alternative explanations for the findings. Additionally, there are several challenges associated with the use of corroborating evidence, such as the difficulty of obtaining the evidence and the subjective nature of its interpretation. Finally, the use of corroborating evidence in social science research can have a number of implications, such as strengthening the validity of the study and providing a more comprehensive understanding of the research subject.
References
Holland, P. W., & Rubin, D. B. (1992). Assessing the credibility of qualitative data. In Handbook of qualitative research (pp. 443–456). Sage.